Fashion & Music entwined

The link between fashion and music is always a hot topic for discussion. I tried mentioning this to my boyfriend once, but he wasn't having any of it, (he studies music and sound recording and was adamant that these two art forms had no connections). However, I believe that there is much more to this than originally meets the eye.
"If you see the difference between music and fashion, you don't understand either, they just blend together."

Although they are both two completely different mediums, one being visual and one being sound, fashion and music both develop and change together, they go hand in hand and are simply creative people expressing themselves. It is hard to see where the music starts and the fashion stops.

Within every genre of music, the artists have a certain connotation about them, they look a certain way. By the way that the artist dresses they are immediately associated with a certain type of music and visa versa, when hearing a particular type of music you can constantly visualise the artist looking a certain way. Dressing in a certain style to fit in with the music helps to promote this sound and completes the overall package. In a way it makes what your hearing more legitimate and believable. This is also the same when designers use carefully selected music for their runway shows. The music helps to establish and give a certain portrayal of what their collections are about, it's the first way to give the message.

As music changes and develops so does fashion, as fashion changes so does music. With every generation there is always something different. Something new and exciting is brought with them.

Even when looking at the past, you identify each decade with the music and clothes that were around at the time. The clothes reflect the music and the music reflects the fashion at the time.


Many labels use singers to promote their brand, they want their clothes associated with this person to give them a certain look and portrayal. Even fashion magazines are using musicians on their covers and styling them up on photo shoots inside. Popular music is fashionable, and designers want their clothes seen on these people.

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British vogue said: "The link between music and fashion goes back in London to those swinging 1960's, when Mick Jagger, wearing a dress while playing in Hyde Park, shook up society". In 1992 she put Bono with model Christie Turlington on her first Christmas Vogue cover and devoted the May 2003 issue to these entwined mediums. "There has always been a synchronicity between fashion and music. The style has always been as much a part of it as the sound".

Jefferson Hack, publisher of the magazine Dazed and Confused and publisher and editor in chief of Another Magazine says: "Music is the lifeblood, the oil of fashion". He believes there is no question about the power of the rock/fashion combo for his generation.

Having the visual experience at a live performance is very important. The likes of Karen O from the yeah yeah yeah's as well as Beth Ditto and Florence from Florence and the machine have all recognized this and come out in amazing costumes when they perform. Not to mention Lady Gaga and Katy Perry who regularly appear in fashion magazines for their crazy and quirky outfits. There is no doubt about it that they are trying to reflect their music through what they wear.

The way that these people perform on stage shows that they are completely relaxed and comfortable, which can also be seen with people who are completely at ease with their choice of fashion. It is all about throwing together trends from different eras and influences in order to create something completely unique.


Tommy Hilfiger also recognises the link between fashion and music saying: “The best artists have changed their music and image to keep on top. It’s important to know how to constantly reinvent yourself.” The whole reason he started designing was because of musicians. He wanted to dress like Mick Jagger and Jimmy Page, however he couldn't get his hands on what he wanted, so decided to start creating clothes inspired by these people.

Even the artists are starting to create their own clothing range in order to further their promotion; for example P-Diddy's Sean John label, Jay-Z with Rocawear and Gwen Stefani with Lamb, which because of their celebrity status, everyone wants to get their hands on and are extremely popular amongst their fans.

Singers and bands are constantly interviewed about their "look", often more so than their actual music. Singers often inject the vibe from their music into their wardrobe, using their costumes to aid with their performances if they are dressed the part.

La Roux for instance says that her look is influenced by David Bowie and the 80's, is it any coincidence that whilst her music is popular in the charts at the moment, so is her look in the shops. The shelves are filled with shoulder pads, body con and brogues.

Fashion and music have become so tightly linked that it is difficult to think of a singer that doesn't have a certain amount of style to them - even if a stylist may help them along the way.