The fine line between the fashion and the music industry has become increasingly blurred. With the music industry's most famous creating a catwalk show on the fashion pages of our weekly gossip magazines.
It became prominent in the 80's when fashion instigated the commercial and cultural statement in society. Madonna shocked her vast following, with the Chansonette Bra. Launched by laundry brand Maidenform's during the 1950's. The underwear as outerwear trend hit the fashion scene and Madonna was responsible. Through outlandish stage costumes, she influenced a popular fashion choice for a garment created decades before, inducing those of a stylish following.
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| Advertisement for the infamous Chansonette Maidenform bra. Image: atticpaper.com |
Her wardrobe sticks in my mind. Madonna appears to be an inspiration behind the commercial relationship music has created with fashion. She is also behind the fashion right now! With Lady Gaga taking obvious style inspiration.
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| Inspired - GAGA takes style inspiration from Madonna. Image: sodahead.com |
Madonnas mode has continued to influence the fashion in today's music industry. With the birth of her clothing line Material Girl, with daughter Lourdes. Her underwear as outerwear 80's style is being re-invented by the female of the moment, Rihanna. Whether or not in a conscious effort, to echo one of music's most iconic women – Rihanna is the one to watch (Recently launching her own clothing range for River Island).
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| Rihanna for River Island Image: riverisland.com |
So it's hardly surprising that the relationship between music and fashion is so strong. But why do our heavily styled pop stars, become the purveyor's of new fashion trends? The best way to answer this question is to cast your mind back to your child-hood years.
Personally I remember, trying to leave the house with my white school shirt tied in a knot purposely displaying my midriff, following a fixation with Britney Spears in the infamous Hit Me Baby One More time music video. This is where it began and the reality is we never grow out of wanting to be like the pop star of the moment, and the best way to achieve this is through fashion.
While we may think when out shopping our purchases are our own choices, this is not necessarily the case. The catwalk, the covers of high-fashion glossy magazines and, what we see on the big stage and in music videos all influence our style.
Victoria Beckham's fashion forward attitude that transformed her from pop star to designer is the perfect example. Following her days as a Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham was never considered as
epitomising high fashion. Now subsequent to her success as a fashion designer, the critics have been forced to complement her latest collection on the catwalk. The Saturdays leap from pop star to fashion idol continues to define this statement with a range of party dresses for Rare fashion. The list goes on (as you can imagine with the majority of the infamous TOWIE catch all owning a boutique or launching a website)
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| Victoria Beckham - Autumn / Winter 2013 Image - handbag.com |
The star is envied by the female population who want to be just like her. Then the high-street makes this happen. The fashion is
filtered down the fashion chain. To the ordinary girl in the high-street - YOU!
Remember the sequin bodice bra? That stormed the high-street selling out immediately in Topshop. Well Rihanna wore it first. And why did it sell out? Well because if Rihanna's wearing it, we want to wear it too! Although I stare in disbelief at anyone who insists they can wear it better than Rihanna.
Which brings us to question, is it the music industry controlling the fashion industry? Or is it simple in that our favourite pop stars love the latest fashion too?
In a society where image has become everything, we along with fashion columnists are constantly criticising the style of artists, and most favourably talent show contestants because it provides a talking point.
It doesn't stop here. A change in image might be the best way to get the public talking, but this doesn't mean they are talking about your music. Selling the most records is becoming not as
imperative, as it once was. A career in fashion is appealing to those in the music industry, craving that celeb style status.
Constant appearances in the weekly fashion pages, secure the style icon status, for those NOT technically in fashion. Lady Gaga's music has made her one of the most successful female solo artists. Yet it is her 'House of Gaga' branding that keeps the fashion world talking. The icon even expresses her relationship with fashion lyrically; with “walk, walk fashion baby” positioning her as one of the most controversial stars. Not just amongst the music industry but in the fashion industry also.
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