Taylor Swift reveals she styled herself for Folklore album cover amid COVID-19 lockdown

Taylor Swift opened up about her hands-on approach to creating the iconic cover for her Grammy-winning album Folklore.

During her second Eras Tour performance in Hamburg, Germany, on July 24—coinciding with the four-year anniversary of the album—Swift shared behind-the-scenes details of her solo efforts in styling for the record.

The 34-year-old pop star revealed that she managed her own hair, makeup, and wardrobe for the Folklore album shoot. In a fan-captured video shared on TikTok, Swift detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions led her to take matters into her own hands.

"You can’t have hair and makeup. You can’t have wardrobe. You just have to do it yourself," Swift explained. She recounted calling a friend with access to a forested area and arranging a photo shoot in her friend's backyard. Swift sourced nightgowns online and took charge of her own hair and makeup, improvising with plaited space buns and other styles.

Swift also reflected on the challenges of creating Folklore during the pandemic. Collaborating remotely with producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, she noted how the absence of traditional studio sessions and in-person interactions made the process more difficult yet rewarding.

“Making an album is usually such a collaborative situation. You usually get lots of people together, you usually get to play all these new songs for your friends or your band and you get to be in the same room with the people you’re writing or producing with. All of that went away during the pandemic,” Swift shared. She added that recording sessions with Antonoff and Dessner were conducted over the phone.

Since its release in 2020, Folklore has resonated deeply with fans. The album, which includes tracks like “August,” “Cardigan,” “Exile,” and “Betty” (partially inspired by Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' daughter), was praised for its storytelling and introspective lyrics. Swift expressed her gratitude to fans for their support during her Hamburg show, emphasizing how their appreciation made the album’s impact even more special.

Folklore won Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammys, marking Swift's third win in that category and tying her with Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon for the most Album of the Year awards. At the ceremony, she accepted her award wearing an Oscar de la Renta mini dress adorned with flower appliqués, reflecting the album's ethereal aesthetic.

Swift's candid revelations about the album’s creation process underscore her dedication and creative spirit, further endearing her to fans and reinforcing the impact of Folklore on her storied career.