David Bowie: a star that influenced Fashion

Posted on January 11, 2016 by nccecobrands

The pop culture icon will remain immortal in the music and fashion history because of his unique style. With the androgynous Ziggy Stardust, David Bowie deconstructed genders, challenging behaviors, fashion and lifestyle. Provocative, he wore colorful “female” platform shoes and “male” suits and added stiletto hills to men’s shoes. His vanguard and his performances inspired and will continue to inspire creative generations of designers, models, photographers and makeup artists.

David Bowie knew it was one of the biggest stars of all time. His latest album, Blackstar, which was released a few days before his death, on January 11, 2016, is the only one which doesn’t have him on the cover—it has a star. Only one star. And he says in “Lazarus”, the song that opens the album: “Look, up here, I’m in heaven.” As if he was saying goodbye.

He even designed some of his costumes, such as the multicolored jumpsuit he wore for Top of the Pops in 1972, inspired by the Clockwork Orange gang. But he also had help from various designers:

With the help of Kansai Yamamoto, Bowie transformed the choreographer Oskar Schlemmer’s (1921), “Tradisches Ballet” overalls in “Tokyo Pop” in 1973. In “Union Jack” he wore a suit of Alexander McQueen for the cover of Earthling (1997) and Hedi Slimane created suits for Bowie.

Design David Bowie
Bowie by Alexander MacQueen
Bowie by Kansai Yamamoto

He was the star of a Louis Vuitton fashion film reprising his role of “Goblin King” while he seduces the model Arizona Muse. And Kate Moss was transformed into Bowie for Vogue (2003 and 2012). Kate Moss made the cover of Vogue as David Bowie. And wore a Ziggy Stardust costume to give the award to David Bowie as best British musician at the Brit Awards in 2014.

See how Bowie influenced the parades of some designers over the years:

Kate Moss wore a Ziggy Stardust costume to give the award to David Bowie as best British musician at the Brit Awards in 2014.
Givenchy Women's Spring / Summer 2010 collection

The blazer used in 1973 at Givenchy fashion show in 2010.
Balmain Women's Autumn / Winter 2011 collection

Balmain is inspired by the sixth album by David Bowie, released in 1973 called Aladdin Sane.
Dries Van Noten Men's Autumn / Winter 2011 collection

Dries Van Noten is inspired by the last great musical persona created by Bowie called "Skinny and White Duke ", mainly associated to his album Station to Station, 1976.
Emilio Pucci 2012 Resort Collection

Although no direct reference was made to Bowie, one cannot deny that colored suits used by Bowie influenced Pucci somehow.
Emilio Pucci 2012 Resort Collection

Although no direct reference was made to Bowie, one cannot deny that colored suits used by Bowie influenced Pucci somehow.
Although no direct reference was made to Bowie, one cannot deny that colored suits used by Bowie influenced Pucci somehow.
Alexander McQueen 2013 Women's Resort collection

Hunky Dory, recorded in the summer of 1971 has inspired British designer Alexander McQueen.
Jean Paul Gaultier Women's Spring / Summer 2013

The iconic Ziggy Stardust is the inspiration for this model created by French designer JPG.
Jonathan Saunders Men's Spring / Summer 2013 collection

The designer Jonathan Saunders decided to allude to Bowie’s soul music phase in the 70s.
Preen’s Pre-Fall 2013 Women's collection by Thornton Bregazzi

The movie "The Hunger" (1983) starring Bowie alongside Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon inspired Preen’s designer Thornton Bregazzi in 2013.
Robert Geller Men's 2014 collection

The Man Who Fell to Earth from 1976, starring Bowie, inspired the designer Robert Gellar

The Brazilian designer João Pimenta made his 2012 summer collection inspired by the Pop Star.

We are all saddened by the loss of David Bowie, from Natural Cotton Color’s management to the media room, we will all be eternally grateful to have experienced together and being inspired by the work of the idol.