The Man Who Sold The World A Fashion Rebel

David Bowie is a name bound to go down in history as one of the world’s most influential fashion icon. He was a form of fashion royalty and headed the movement of self- invention. Bowie’s evolution from a follower of the beat culture of the 60’s to the glamorous 80’s and his gender fluid nature of sexual ambiguity carved him to be the legend he is today. Fashion was a form of self expression for Bowie, and it helped to communicate individuality at its most extreme, glittering and creative.

David Bowie enlivened his music, constantly embodying the message he conveyed in each album. His sense of style would change at the speed of light much like his songs, repeatedly reinventing his fashion choices and persona.

‘We’ve got this young man and we don’t quite know what to do with him. He writes every song in a different style.’ – David Platz of Essex Music about David Bowie.

Fashion had no limits with David Bowie. There isn’t anything he hasn’t experimented with; from eye-patches, donning dresses, flaming locks and covering his face with vibrant makeup Bowie was desirable by men and women alike. A rebel of his time, breaking gender lines and still manages to influence contemporary fashion till date. David Bowie, in all his perfection, was fashion’s most beloved leader of his time, essentially giving the likes of Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger a run for their money.

David Bowie, infamous for his gender bending persona, was best known to advocate the very idea in his initial years as a rising star. Him donning a dress was a way of conveying his sexual fluidity accompanied with his long hair at the time.

With the release of Space Oddity in 1969, Bowie unleashed his out of the world style with his body hugging attire and glittery ensembles with vibrant latex platform boots that had women everywhere envying his collection of heeled footwear. Often strutted his look in structured jumpsuits, manifesting his slim appearance in a slither-like expression. His obsession with makeup only heightened further in the 70's with his split persona as Aladdin Slane, with his iconic lightning bolt and flaming red hair. Deemed as being known as "Glam Bowie" brought albums like Ziggy Stardust that formed a precursor for Aladdin Slane, with his tour garments were all designed by Tokyo based designer Kansai Yamamoto. Needless to say that this period of Bowie set his talent in stone and his fashion style during this time only catapulted his ordeal to fame.

Aladdin Slane: Album Cover (left) and Ziggy Stardust costume Bowie wore during the tour (right)

Bowie's eccentric style later evolved into an extensive use of brightly colored pantsuits where he channeled a very "Presley-esque" attitude. The eighties brought soul to Bowie's musical talents and his style adapted to something more dandy-like. Designed by Freddie Buretti, his suits brought about Bowie's "andro" from his prior "androgynous" expression. This period was his venture into pastels and a more subtle Bowie emerged from the ashes (a hint to his infamous "Ashes to Ashes"). Yet, this wasn't even his final form.

Freddie Buretti's pant suits designed for Bowie

David Bowie took the world by surprise with his performance as the Goblin King, Jareth in the movie franchise "Labyrinthe" in 1987. His appearance in that movie is one his most iconic looks yet. Mostly it was a nod to his days of his extensively makeup laden face. Later with movies like "The Hunger", Bowie moved on to a more retro slick-back persona, reverting to blonde hair. Leaving his punk rock style behind and stepped up to his time of power dressing.

From top left : (A) Bowie as Gareth in "Labyrinthe", (B) His famous suspender and suit ensemble in the late 80's, (C) Bowie in the Union Jack trench coat in 1997 at the "Earthlings" tour and (D) Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2013 collection inspired by Bowie

The 90's left us mesmerized with Alexander McQueen's costume designed for Bowie's 1997 "Earthling" Tour. Containing every little piece of the rebel that Bowie was, the Union Jack Coat complete with cigarette burns and all. The last of Bowie's legacy of ground breaking fashion and even today inspires some of the most famous designer labels such as Balmain, Emilio Pucci and Jean Paul Gaultier.

This heterochromic Crooner has forever imprinted on fashion and is a perfect example of how his career and self expression influence the creative field in multiple way. Being an early advocate of sexual fluidity, in a way, made it alright to dress the way one wanted to without caring for what the world criticized him for. He stood his ground and became a creative legend.

"In Texas, one guy pulled a gun and called me a fag. But I thought the dress looked beautiful." - David Bowie on wearing a dress in 1971 for his album, The Man Who Sold The World.

Sources -

n.p, "David Bowie: style icon", n.d, timeout.com, Web, 5 Nov 2015, http://www.timeout.com/london/shopping/david-bowie-style-icon

Alex Q. Arbuckle, "Bowie's dress", n.d, masable.com, Web, 5 Nov 2015, http://mashable.com/2015/11/05/david-bowie-dress/#HUaJFGIEZkqK

Images taken from -

http://www.mtv.com/news/1940483/david-bowie-fashion-influence/

http://www.buzznet.com/2011/01/evolution-david-bowie/the-evolution-of-david-bowie-32/