WHO THE MUSIC STARS ARE WEARING
They’re cool and hip, talented and successful, and we’re not even talking about our fave designers, but rather the musicians wearing their True Fashionista creations. The ones rocking it onstage, online and in print for legions of adoring fans. You have to admit, its def one way to put a designer in the spotlight. Face it, when JLo accepts the Grammy in a stunning Chanel number, or when Pink performs in relative newcomer August Getty, the world notices, and said design house has increased their Instagram following by the thousands.
As Business of Fashion pointed out, hip hop artists are some of the biggest fashion trendsetters in the U.S. Case in point: When Alexander Wang presented his Autumn/Winter 2018 collection, who was sitting next to Anna Wintour in the coveted front row? None other than superstar Cardi B. The seemingly innocent placement showcased a nod from the fashion industry legitimizing street culture as a showcase for fashion couture. Brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior Homme and Versace have also embraced the popularity of hip hop, showcasing rappers in their campaigns on a regular basis. “Fashion isn’t just for the elite anymore,” said A$AP Rocky, who’s been sporting Gucci, Prada and Balenciaga designs, among others. Last November, as Vogueworld reports, he walked the red carpet at the LACMA Art and Film Gala in Los Angeles rocking a floral Gucci head scarf worn babushka-style, reminiscent of his video for Kid Turned Out Fine. Although many Russian grandmothers might insist that they did it first (!), we can appreciate the throwback.
As Generations Y and Z step up in their schooling and careers, they are now forecasted to account for 45% of global luxury spending by 2025, and rappers comprise major chunk of their listening time. However, there’s another music phenom currently sweeping social media accounts, air pods and coveted bedroom poster wall space by the millions that’s also influencing and reflecting the world of fashion.
Yes it’s the K-pop explosion of pop stars, whose social media accounts continue to blow up not just every time they release another smash single, but also when they are spotted out and about. Vogue UK shares how all four members of BLACKPINK were spotted in the front row at shows in Paris and London earlier this year. Rapper, singer and Chanel brand ambassador, Jennie, outfitted in a purple sweater, baby blue bow-tie crop top and denim mom jeans, showed her support for Virginie Viard as she unveiled her Chanel S/S 2020 collection at the Grand Palais. The internet went crazy when Jennie was spotted as part of the aforementioned moment sitting alongside Anna Wintour and Cardi B in the FROW at Alexander Wang. Mino and Hoony of K-Pop group Winner were dressed to kill at the Burberry spring/summer 2018 show, wearing pieces straight from the collection, and EXO went for the classic look with a contemporary twist for the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
Arguably the biggest K-pop band of the moment (i.e. the one that’s hitting gold in the U.S.) is BTS, whose fashion forward statements were insanely, expensively exhibited in their 2018 video for their song, Idol. Band member RM wore an Alanui cardigan priced at $4,180, while J-Hope’s Nikes had a $490 price tag. Jimin’s Gucci tee was $870 and Jin’s Gucci jacket was close to $3,000. Get the complete Idol wardrobe rundown from this moment here.
Many an enterprising star has meshed the worlds of music and fashion by starting a label of their own, such as Jay Z’s Rocawear collection or Sean Combs’s Sean John line. One of the more successful, if not THE most, is Rihanna’s True Fashionista Fenty line, introduced in spring 2019 when the pop mogul partnered with luxury conglomerate LVMH. As she describes it to Jeremy Harris for the New York Times Style Magazine, “I use myself as the muse. It’s sweatpants with pearls, or a masculine denim jacket with a corset. I feel like we live in a world where people are embracing every bit of who they are.”
Harris shares that over the last five years Rihianna’s been busy simultaneously releasing her most critically acclaimed album yet and also diving headfirst into fashion. In 2014 she signed a multi-year deal as Creative Director of women’s business at Puma, designing new collections for women’s training and customizing classic Puma styles. Soon after, she developed a line of size- and gender-inclusive lingerie under the Savage x Fenty label and in 2017 debuted her Fenty Beauty line. In its first year, Fenty Beauty grossed over $500 million in sales. Now, Rihanna has become the first black woman to run a major luxury fashion house as Fenty continues to expand with help from Louis Vuitton.
Social media and business savvy have intertwined the worlds of fashion and music more than ever lately. We’re looking forward to even more True Fashionista styles of pop culture coming our way soon. We can only imagine who’s next!
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