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| By: Kristine Hartman, Creative Director |
Fashion and music are two worlds completely intertwined. Rock royalty has inspired many top designer
collections throughout the varying seasons. These rock rebels have motivated designers from emerging to
established fashion houses to develop a look meant to capture the essence of the music these maestros
create. From Versace’s ad campaign inspired by song bird Christina Aguilera to H&M who used Madonna as
their most coveted poster child, many big name heavy hitters in the design world that have used musicians as
their muse for their designs. Modern and inventive, risky and risqué, a musicians image and lyrical genius
can facilitate a natural desire for most to want to consume and feed-off their sounds and energy. This article
takes a look at several edgy musicians including David Bowie, Rihanna, the SEX Pistols, Christina Aguilera
and Madonna who have influenced high-end haute fashion.
collections throughout the varying seasons. These rock rebels have motivated designers from emerging to
established fashion houses to develop a look meant to capture the essence of the music these maestros
create. From Versace’s ad campaign inspired by song bird Christina Aguilera to H&M who used Madonna as
their most coveted poster child, many big name heavy hitters in the design world that have used musicians as
their muse for their designs. Modern and inventive, risky and risqué, a musicians image and lyrical genius
can facilitate a natural desire for most to want to consume and feed-off their sounds and energy. This article
takes a look at several edgy musicians including David Bowie, Rihanna, the SEX Pistols, Christina Aguilera
and Madonna who have influenced high-end haute fashion.
Gucci, inspired by David Bowie
Born in Brixton London, David Bowie is
one of the most influential writers in pop
music, a musical mastermind that has
created sounds to keep us guessing for
decades. Bowie spent much of his early
days struggling to create his art and it
was not until 1972, when he released
“Ziggy Stardust” did he send tails
wagging with his space age, rock star
concepts and styling. Utilizing such
strong images as gender dysfunction,
Armageddon, confusion, and destruction
of fame to tell stories and present alter
egos to entertain and question
standards of the norm for both the
sound and image of an artist. For Fall
2006, Gucci designer Frida Giannini
presented a collection inspired by Bowie’
s own unique styling. The collection
used space dyed minis, gold lame,
velvet pantsuits, skinny pants and
beading to create a collection both
strong in concept but androgynously
rock and roll in feel. The designs were
incorporated fun seventies styling
matched with modern tailoring and taste
that Gucci is known for.
Born in Brixton London, David Bowie is
one of the most influential writers in pop
music, a musical mastermind that has
created sounds to keep us guessing for
decades. Bowie spent much of his early
days struggling to create his art and it
was not until 1972, when he released
“Ziggy Stardust” did he send tails
wagging with his space age, rock star
concepts and styling. Utilizing such
strong images as gender dysfunction,
Armageddon, confusion, and destruction
of fame to tell stories and present alter
egos to entertain and question
standards of the norm for both the
sound and image of an artist. For Fall
2006, Gucci designer Frida Giannini
presented a collection inspired by Bowie’
s own unique styling. The collection
used space dyed minis, gold lame,
velvet pantsuits, skinny pants and
beading to create a collection both
strong in concept but androgynously
rock and roll in feel. The designs were
incorporated fun seventies styling
matched with modern tailoring and taste
that Gucci is known for.
DSquared2, inspired by Rihanna
In September of 2007 budding sound siren
Rihanna graced the runway stage of twin
brothers Dean and Dan Caten’s DSquared2
Spring 2008 collection in Milan. Rihanna, who
was thrust into the whirlwind that is the music
business in 2005 has garnered much acclaim
for her third and most recent album, “Good Girl
Gone Bad,” making her a perfect muse for the
DSquared duo, who are known for creating
“explosive energy and sex appeal” in their
designs and on the runway. With heavy hitters
like Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Lenny Kravitz,
Fergie and Christina Aguilera wearing their
garments, they must be doing something right.
Their shows always offer excitement and
spectacle with themes such as the Wild West,
men’s locker room, foxhunts, homelessness,
and drag car racing.
In September of 2007 budding sound siren
Rihanna graced the runway stage of twin
brothers Dean and Dan Caten’s DSquared2
Spring 2008 collection in Milan. Rihanna, who
was thrust into the whirlwind that is the music
business in 2005 has garnered much acclaim
for her third and most recent album, “Good Girl
Gone Bad,” making her a perfect muse for the
DSquared duo, who are known for creating
“explosive energy and sex appeal” in their
designs and on the runway. With heavy hitters
like Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Lenny Kravitz,
Fergie and Christina Aguilera wearing their
garments, they must be doing something right.
Their shows always offer excitement and
spectacle with themes such as the Wild West,
men’s locker room, foxhunts, homelessness,
and drag car racing.
Vivienne Westwood, inspired by the
SEX Pistols
Vivienne Westwood has become a
household name worn by big name
celebrities and seen in on the screen
in blockbusters like “Sex And The City,
The Movie.” Westwood, an English
designer, began her career during the
1970s London punk movement
where she gained notoriety for
questioning the norms of fashion and
the feminine form. Her designs where
given credibility when one time
manger Malcom McLaren introduced
her designs famed band the SEX
Pistols. Well all it took was a simple t-
shirt from Westwood’s shop with the
words, “Let It Rock” to start a new
SEX Pistols
Vivienne Westwood has become a
household name worn by big name
celebrities and seen in on the screen
in blockbusters like “Sex And The City,
The Movie.” Westwood, an English
designer, began her career during the
1970s London punk movement
where she gained notoriety for
questioning the norms of fashion and
the feminine form. Her designs where
given credibility when one time
manger Malcom McLaren introduced
her designs famed band the SEX
Pistols. Well all it took was a simple t-
shirt from Westwood’s shop with the
words, “Let It Rock” to start a new
movement in punk rock fashion. Both provocative and fun, dangerous and
loud the SEX Pistols and Vivienne Westwood continue to shock society,
Westwood continues to create, beautiful thought provoking ensembles,
whereas the surviving members of the SEX Pistols continue to tick everyone
off. On February 24, 2006 the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall
Of Fame, and instead of attending and accepting the honor the band
members refused to attend the ceremony calling it “A piss stain.”
loud the SEX Pistols and Vivienne Westwood continue to shock society,
Westwood continues to create, beautiful thought provoking ensembles,
whereas the surviving members of the SEX Pistols continue to tick everyone
off. On February 24, 2006 the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall
Of Fame, and instead of attending and accepting the honor the band
members refused to attend the ceremony calling it “A piss stain.”
Jean Paul Gaultier, inspired by Madonna
When Madonna infamously walked the
catwalk of John Paul Gaultier in the 90s
wearing little more then some bondage
lingerie pushing a baby carriage, history was
made. Images of Madonna’s naked chest
caused more pandemonium and controversy
than the two had probably anticipated and it
worked wonderfully for the pair who are now
known for causing media madness and
shocking the masses. "I have never met
anyone with such spark, such charisma.
Madonna is superb and surprising, always
impeccable... even fashion models don´t
possess this constant perfection," Jean Paul
Gauliter speaking of his muse Madonna in
1990. Both artists have remained in each
other’s good graces, supporting each other in
their creative endeavors over the years.
Gaultier created or rather produced and
sculpted the costumes for Madonna’s “Blonde
Ambition Tour,” and then later designed the
garments for her 2006 “Confessions Tour.”
When Madonna infamously walked the
catwalk of John Paul Gaultier in the 90s
wearing little more then some bondage
lingerie pushing a baby carriage, history was
made. Images of Madonna’s naked chest
caused more pandemonium and controversy
than the two had probably anticipated and it
worked wonderfully for the pair who are now
known for causing media madness and
shocking the masses. "I have never met
anyone with such spark, such charisma.
Madonna is superb and surprising, always
impeccable... even fashion models don´t
possess this constant perfection," Jean Paul
Gauliter speaking of his muse Madonna in
1990. Both artists have remained in each
other’s good graces, supporting each other in
their creative endeavors over the years.
Gaultier created or rather produced and
sculpted the costumes for Madonna’s “Blonde
Ambition Tour,” and then later designed the
garments for her 2006 “Confessions Tour.”
Versace, inspired by
Christina Aguilera
In 2003 Christina
Aguilera was honored
as the spokes-model
and face of Versace.
Aguilera appeared in
Versace print and
television campaigns.
In a statement in made
to People Magazine,
Donatella Versace
gushed why she chose
Christina Aguilera as
the face of Versace, “I
watch the videos of
Christina and I always
Christina Aguilera
In 2003 Christina
Aguilera was honored
as the spokes-model
and face of Versace.
Aguilera appeared in
Versace print and
television campaigns.
In a statement in made
to People Magazine,
Donatella Versace
gushed why she chose
Christina Aguilera as
the face of Versace, “I
watch the videos of
Christina and I always
die! She is a great dancer, a great singer and her voice is amazing. I always
hoped I could do something with her, but I wanted to be friends first -- that is
the most important thing for me.” Aguilera is known for her controversial style
and blunt in your face sex appeal as seen in videos like “Dirty”. However, the
most controversial move made by a musician can give birth to tasteful, fun,
fabulous fashion, with a little edge. In this way the most shocking looks and
behavior can give birth to a new version of the classic, a twist on the traditional,
in short, modern styles with an edgy, a saucy sensual look, which Versace is
known for.
hoped I could do something with her, but I wanted to be friends first -- that is
the most important thing for me.” Aguilera is known for her controversial style
and blunt in your face sex appeal as seen in videos like “Dirty”. However, the
most controversial move made by a musician can give birth to tasteful, fun,
fabulous fashion, with a little edge. In this way the most shocking looks and
behavior can give birth to a new version of the classic, a twist on the traditional,
in short, modern styles with an edgy, a saucy sensual look, which Versace is
known for.
