IN CONVERSATION WITH RIMON
interview by FRANCESCO PIZZUTI and VERONICA TLAPANCO SZABÓ
Truly versatile yet with a deep R&B sensibility and a fearless commitment to self-expression, RIMON has always moved with intention. Raised in the Netherlands and inspired by art in all its forms, she began her journey as a singer-songwriter at a young age, diving headfirst into the industry. Her 2024 debut album, Children Of The Night, marked a defining moment in her own storytelling; a body of work that took her across Europe and North America, with her biggest show being in Amsterdam, her beloved city. A magnetic performer and a born entertainer, she’s getting ready to step boldly into a new era, excited to expand her artistic world even further.
full look H&M STUDIO
For readers discovering you for the first time through this interview, how would you introduce RIMON? How did your journey as an artist begin and evolve through the years?
There’s definitely a difference between Rimon, the person my friends know, and Rimon the artist. As an artist, I’m very driven, very visionary in the way I approach my projects. As a person, though? I think my friends would describe me as extroverted, fun, maybe a little crazy. When I look back at my career, I see phases. Real phases. And the funny thing is, I was always completely authentic in how I presented myself, even when I wasn’t consciously aware of what phase I was in. My music really reflects that. Sometimes I listen back to older songs, and I’m like, wow. I was so different then. But that’s life. We all go through phases. The difference is that I have songs as proof of those moments; snapshots of who I was and the state of mind I was in. That’s really interesting to me.
full look H&M STUDIO
Do you remember the moment you fully committed to music, when it stopped being a dream and became a decision? Looking back now, how does that version of you feel about where you are today?
I was 18. I read a book that genuinely changed my brain chemistry. Before that, I felt confined by expectations. I was good at school, and I thought I had to follow this path my mom had envisioned for me. But at 18, something clicked. I realized I actually had free will, that I could crystallize the ideas in my head and turn them into something real. That’s when I knew I wanted to do music. So I thought, why would I go to university if this is my passion?
A lot has changed since then, and at the same time, nothing has. I still have the same dreams. I’m still not where I ultimately want to be. But my understanding of the industry is completely different. At 18, it was just passion. Now I understand it’s also a business. That was something I had to adapt to. My focus used to be just art, regardless of cost. Now I still make decisions from an artistic point of view, but I also ask: what makes sense? Because otherwise, you simply can’t survive as an artist today.
full look H&M STUDIO
With Children of the Night, you built such a distinct universe. What defines a “child of the night” to you?
To me, a child of the night is a rebel. I’ve always seen myself as someone who goes against the grain. Metaphorically, it’s the kid who refuses to sleep at 8 p.m. just because they were told to. It’s that instinct to question.
During that era, I was going through a lot behind the scenes, personally and professionally. I was forced to stop being “nice.” I had to protect my boundaries. I had to stand on them.
That’s where the rebelliousness in the project comes from. It’s raw. Not angry, but there’s definitely resistance in it. That red hair, the bold visuals, the feeling of “I’m here”. I couldn’t shy away from myself anymore. It was very reflective of my mental state at the time. That was Children of the Night.
You have such a strong relationship with fashion and image. What’s the role of fashion in your career and as a form of self-expression?
I have a paradoxical relationship with fashion. On one hand, I’ve always said I don’t care. On the other hand, I clearly do. As a kid, I would force my mom to take me to thrift stores and spend hours digging through racks. I had Tumblr, but I also had a proper writing blog where I wrote about fashion and art.
Most days, I just want to be comfortable; sweatpants, something easy. But I also love dressing up. I love how fashion can transform you into a character. As music became more central in my life, fashion became a tool. I’ve always moved through different aesthetics, different eras. Fashion helps me express the visual world that belongs to whatever story I’m telling at the time.
full look H&M STUDIO
For this shoot, we played with the idea of channeling different personas and tapping into your inner child as well. How was that experience for you? Does putting on a new wig help you to channel a different energy?
I loved it. When I first saw the deck, I thought, okay, interesting. But once I understood the full vision — especially the video concept — I was like, this is so dope. I’m such a geek when it comes to concepts. I often feel like I use myself as a vessel for ideas. It’s concept first; then I’ll do whatever it takes. Dye my hair, change my look, transform. So I really connected to the idea of embodying different characters. And yes, the wig definitely helped. I’ve been wearing it ever since, actually. I guess I’m in a new hair era. The clothing was more feminine than what I usually wear, but I loved that too. It felt playful.
Favorite look from the shoot?
The trench coats. For sure.
full look H&M STUDIO
In “Make Money”, family and heritage take center stage. What was it like working with your loved ones on set?
Stressful. Honestly, so stressful. My mom was involved, and she’s a force. A whole character. The day before the shoot was my sister’s 18th birthday, so everyone had been at this huge party. The next morning: early call time. Hungover aunties and uncles everywhere. I was honestly scared people wouldn’t show up, but everyone came. And I was so grateful.
Despite the chaos, I’m incredibly proud of that video. Not just creatively, but emotionally. I captured my family, my sisters, my heritage, while still being fully me. What’s funny is that we didn’t have much budget or time. We produced it in five days. And sometimes those are the projects that resonate the most, more than the ones you spend months and so much money on.
You represent Amsterdam in such a specific way. How has the city shaped you, and how did it feel playing your biggest show there? Also, do you have any rituals before stepping on stage?
I’m originally from Zandvoort, a small village of about 16,000 people. Very close-minded. Very village mentality. So early on, I knew I had to leave. I’d sneak out at 14 or 15, take the train to Amsterdam, and I realized there was a whole world of people like me. Amsterdam shaped my confidence. It gave me permission to bet on myself and not follow the predictable path. Playing my biggest show there felt symbolic. It was also the first time I created a full production with a choreographer, dancers, a real experience. I want movement. I want entertainment. It felt like a preview of what’s coming next. There’s still so much to improve, but it was a powerful starting point.
As for rituals, I used to take tequila shots. Now I do vocal exercises. I’m boring. But I want to be the best version of myself on stage. You can’t be reckless forever.
full look H&M STUDIO
In the Flowers visualizer, you hand out red roses, which is such a tender gesture. They say what goes around comes around, so what are you manifesting at the moment? What does your next chapter look like?
This next chapter is going to be different. I’ve had time to reflect this past year. I went back to the child version of myself, the girl who was always dancing, singing, entertaining. She was just having fun. A lot of my music has been sad: heartbreak, confusion, figuring things out. Now, I’m actually having fun again. I want to make fun music. Girly, playful, alive. It reflects who I am right now much more than the sadness did. I’m also moving to the U.S. soon. Maybe I’ll hate it. But I feel like I need to take it to the next level; stop being too humble. I’ve done tours and sold out intimate venues. Now I want more.
I want to make every dream I’ve ever had come true, regardless of what it takes. This next era? It’s going to be fun.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent RIMON
creative direction MARIA MOTA
video direction/edit/grading KEANU HAUMAHU
DOP/gaffer LARS CLEVEN
styling GEORGIA BOAL-RUSSELL
hair ADIAM HABTEZION
makeup THIRZA KING
styling assistant ROOS BOUWDEWIJN
production assistant ADELINA NICOARA
extras BIBI CAMPOS @bibimcampos CLAUDIA AISA, ELIANA CASA, GIORGIA GIANNINI, SHEEYMAA AHMED
interview FRANCESCO PIZZUTI and VERONICA TLAPANCO SZABÓ
