Unapologetically Her: Erika Vikman

In a music industry that often rewards the predictable, Erika Vikman has built her career on defying convention.The Finnish artist burst onto the scene with a provocative blend of glam-pop and radical femininity, captivating audiences with her breakout hit “Cicciolina” —a dazzling tribute to the Italian porn star-turned-parliamentarian. But Vikman isn’t simply interested in shock value—her music is a carefully composed fusion of retro disco, theatrical storytelling, and Europop, designed to challenge cultural norms around shame, desire, and womanhood.

Born in Tampere and raised in the quiet of Finland’s lush forests, Vikman’s duality is as compelling as it is intentional. Offstage, she prefers solitude, long walks in nature, and gardening. But when the lights go up, she transforms. Gone is the reserved introvert; in her place stands a commanding performer who orchestrates a world of sequins, sensuality, and subversive glamour. In Vikman’s hands, retro aesthetics become a statement of power.

dress 1 POSTER GIRL
dress 2 POSTER GIRL
hat ATSUKO KUDO
heels POSTER GIRL
gloves (1) SELEZZA LONDON
gloves (2) RAQUEL DE CARVALHO
tights WOLFORD

Your music blends a variety of genres, from pop to more retro influences. How do you approach genre fusion in your creative process?

When I make music with my team, I always find myself inspired by the bands, artists, and sounds, whose visual aesthetics attract me. I definitely have a soft spot for retro music, preferring to get inspiration from artists like Tina Turner and Nina Hagen, rather than someone more current. It’s wonderful mixing the old with the new.

Your work often flirts with themes of freedom, desire, and reinvention. To what extent do you believe reinvention is necessary — not just in art, but in life?

Reinventing yourself in your career is so important, but it’s also not easy. How do you keep bringing something fresh into the world you’ve built, but still keep relating to your fans? I followed the same style and pattern for five years, but this year, I made it my mission to reinvent myself through Eurovision – and I succeeded.

Reinvention in life matters just as much as reinvention in your career. It brings back your motivation, your energy, and your passion. It’s like discovering yourself all over again.

skirt ANGUS TSUI
dress XI SCORPII
bustier XI SCORPII
gloves ATSUKO KUDO
necklace SINNER IN PEARLS

Your aesthetic calls to mind an era when glamour was almost mythological — think Studio 54 and old Hollywood. Is there a time period you feel you truly belong to, or is nostalgia itself part of the act?

I have always felt a connection and longing for past decades, feeling as if I was born in the wrong era. I miss Marilyn Monroe’s old Hollywood, Cher’s disco outfits from the ‘70s, and Madonna’s sounds from the ‘80s. I even miss ‘90s Pamela Anderson with the whole Playboy aesthetic. Nostalgia is such a big part of who I am.

You have a knack for storytelling in your songs. How important is it for you to convey a deeper message through your music?

It’s really important to me that my songs carry a deeper message. I don’t have a single breakup song – the world already has plenty of those. What I want to do is challenge attitudes around misogyny, shame, and self expression; freely and sexually. Equality has always been at the heart of what I do.

What does a typical day in your life look like when you’re not working on music or Performing?

I play tennis, do some gardening, and like walking in the woods with my dog. On a typical day you’ll find me wearing a cap with no makeup on. I am definitely an introvert. I often don’t have the energy to see people, and I am totally comfortable doing things on my own.

dress RAISHMA
gloves THEO
shoes BALENCIAGA

There’s an undeniable visual language to your work — every look, every performance feels like a carefully curated world. Do you see yourself as more than a musician, perhaps as a filmmaker of your own mythos?

I have always considered myself more of an entertainer and an artist, rather than just a musician. I have built my whole artistic world independently. Songwriting isn’t my biggest strength, so that is where my trusted co-writers come in, but I always know exactly what I want to say and how I want everything to look. I’m the ringmaster of this whole circus!

Music can be emotionally draining as well as fulfilling. How do you recharge and take care of your mental well-being?

I spend a lot of my time on my own, out in nature, listening to calming music, or even sometimes no music at all. In my free time I’m not into too much stimulation or noise. It’s in that quiet space where I create and find inspiration.

How does fashion influence your confidence and self-expression in everyday life?

I love fashion. When I am off-duty, I usually dress super casually and hope people don’t recognise me. But when I go out, I like to play with my outfits and get attention. My confidence is definitely tied to what I wear. For me, my clothes are an important form of communication.

skirt RAQUEL DE CARVALHO
rings (with pearl) SINNER IN PEARLS
midi rings ISABELLA HEWITT
double on finger LAG WORLD

Finland is known for its quiet, almost meditative landscapes, yet your music pulses with electricity. How does your environment shape the art you create, and do you ever feel at odds with it?

Finland’s landscape and nature is so recharging. However, my art is a complete contrast to the calm, meditative vibe of the Finnish surroundings. I love to unwind here, but my personality is full of an explosive energy that needs to be expressed. While the relaxing nature restores me, my music and stage persona unleashes me.

What’s a memory from your childhood that still influences who you are today — either as an artist or simply as a person?

There was always music playing in my childhood home. My mum loved to sing and perform. I was a shy kid, but I knew deep down that one day I would be performing in front of big audiences.

How do you balance your public and private life, especially with the growing influence of social media?

I don’t take social media too seriously and I rarely share anything personal on it. It’s like a parallel reality where I am in my artist persona and I only show what I want to. My private life is barely shown on social media or in the press.

Looking ahead, what are some artistic risks or boundaries you’re eager to explore in your future work, both musically and personally?

Throughout my career, I have always questioned why a vocal and expressive woman receives so much hate. Why does it bother people when a woman isn’t under their control? This questioning means I’ll keep going my career as a rebellious woman who doesn’t hide herself or seek anyone’s approval. Perhaps I will keep exploring the theme of misogyny forever and in doing so, be part of the change.

dress 1 POSTER GIRL
dress 2 POSTER GIRL
hat ATSUKO KUDO
gloves (1) SELEZZA LONDON
gloves (2) RAQUEL DE CARVALHO

Looking to the future, Erika Vikman remains unshaken in her mission to inspire. She knows the road ahead will never be easy for those who challenge the status quo. Yet with every performance, every reinvention, Vikman proves that true power doesn’t come from fitting in—it comes from standing tall in the face of expectations and transforming them into something uniquely her own.