Alicia Keys, styled by Anda Gentile and photographed in NYC for a feature in Interview magazine by Mark Squires in 2007.

Alicia wears a sweater by Iceberg $370.00. Flowerbomb eau de parfum by Viktor & Rolf $180.00 

For the December 2007/January 2008 issue of Interview magazine, Alicia speaks on her new album As I Am: “A ton of things inspired me for this record, but I think that my trip to Egypt is what made it all make sense. Before I went, I was feeling overwhelmed, I was dealing with a family member who was sick, and it was hard to see a person that you love flirting with death every day like that. And then there were other things I was coming face-to-face with—people who I thought I had good relationships with were becoming really unhealthy burdens in my life. I just felt like I was totally alone in this crazy sea. I had this insane thought that if I left, then everything would just fall apart, and I guess I was fearful of that. Finally, I realized things would be all right, and if they did fall apart, well, then they were meant to. So I went to Egypt and saw the temples and the pyramids and the tombs and the Nile. I went around every day with an Egyptologist, and I learned the history of it all. And I started to discover this strength in the history and the people and the idea that there’s a legacy you can leave behind. That just changed my whole perspective. It’s kind of what set me free to create any music that I wanted to, as opposed to feeling so stressed and frustrated and closed off and disconnected.”

Mark Squires has specialized in celebrity portraits, fashion, beauty and luxury market for over 20 years and is currently based in N.Y. & L.A. His goal is to create unique and beautiful images that will have a great impact on the viewer, and to collaborate closely with diverse and talented people and teams from all walks of life. “The final work is always a testament to the incredible talents and efforts of the entire team.” Squires says.