Friday, June 15, 2012

Music and fashion (5): David Bowie

This is the story of an artist that has reinvented himself so many times that we cannot but agree that it's very intriguing. Every character was created to suit the music, the mood and the stories told. 
Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke and the feminine and confusing image for the album cover of Hunky Dory
One of Bowie's contributions to the fashion industry is that he opened a whole new world of possibilities: glitter, jumpsuits and eccentricity with Ziggy- the man from space, a smarter style with the Duke - the contemporary dandy. Always changing, always evolving, playing with perceptions, rules and sexuality borders, whilst maintaining the expectations of the audience extremely high. 
Bowie's image has been discussed, criticised and subject to different opinions for years. What was never questioned was his talent as artist. 
With Ziggy Stardust, Bowie created the glam-rock in 1972 threatening the traditional American youngsters with all that glitter and declaring himself bisexual, playing with the ambiguity of his acts and words. 
Musicians, through fashion, challenge the audience's believes and rules set by the society.
When David Bowie had his last show as Ziggy on 3 July 1979, many thought that it was also the end of Bowie as musician.
But the show must go on








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