For many years, fashion and music have gone
together hand in hand, both creative industries have helped each other thrive
and progress through massive collaborations. Fashion has used music as a source
of inspiration for years and vice versa, from the drug induced UK rave culture
of the 1980’s, where fashion quickly spilled over from the clubs to the catwalks, to subcultures, which are hugely dictated by the music they listen to.
Designers have decided to step up and go directly to the musicians for
collaborations which has pushed both industries to creative highs, its gone on
and beyond. Even the likes of film makers such as Nick Knight who has
collaborated with creatives from Alexander McQueen to Kanye West, have got involved. Bridging the
two has resulted in the creation of great art.
In recent years the trend has flourished, Burberry hold live
events showcasing some of Christopher Baileys favorite acts such as British
indie band White Lies, its even got to the point where the models turn to the
musicians. We all know models and rock stars go together like ring and yang, Agyness
Deyn (circa 2008) offered her vocals to unknown indie band Five
O Clock Heroes and Kate Moss featured on past boyfriend Pete Dohertys album for
Babyshambles.
Here are my seven picks of perhaps not the
best, but the biggest fashion/music collabs:
Rihanna x River Island
Pop/Illuminati (sorry, I had to) Princess Rihanna took the
high street by storm last year when she unveiled a collection designed
exclusively by her (we’re led to believe) for high street retailer River
Island. She even showed at London Fashion Week, surprisingly. Unless you
haven’t seen the collection you can easily imagine it was an array of bomber
jackets, camo, and mid riff bearing crop tops all of which you could imagine
Rihanna to wear herself. It was commercial and with her massive following it
was bound to be a massive success and has carried on over a couple of season.
It’s all wearable but each to their own I guess!
A.P.C x Kanye
Unusually modest for a collaboration
featuring Kanye, this collection consisted of mainly denim jeans, hoodies and
t-shirts, staple items for most men. We all (unfortunately) remember the
previous debacle when Yeezy last attempted to break in to the industry much to
the distain of Anna Wintour, after that Kanye seeked advice from Jean Touitou,
head of French brand A.P.C which developed in to a beautiful friendship and resulted
in this basic but successful collab.
Vivienne Westwood x Sex Pistols
Although not classed as an official
collaboration it is probably one of the most influential. In the 80’s Vivienne
Westwood began designing clothes for Malcolm McLarens shop ‘Sex’ who also
happened to be the manager of punk band the Sex Pistols, the two styled the band
that helped develop the punk style which continued throughout the 70’s.
Riccardo Tisci x Watch The Throne
Bringing two musical geniuses together
simply wasn’t enough for Jay Z and Kanye West when they collaborated to create
Watch The Throne in 2011. West bought in good friend (and rumored ex boyf) to
create the duos album and single covers and even merchandise for their world
tour. As you can imagine from Jay Z, the biggest name in the industry, and
Yeezy, the biggest ego in the industry, the creative direction was ridiculously
extravagant, with lashings of gold and images of the duos faces merged with cheetahs.
Saint Laurent x Daft Punk
Although Daft Punk were initially
introduced to the fashion world in 2007 by Louis Vuitton, it was Hedi Slimane
who has really given the Dj duo a push in recent years. His debut collection
for Saint Laurent was underlined by Daft Punk’s take on David “Junior” Kimbrough’s
music. He then designed a jacket for the Parisian duo who also featured in the
houses 2013 campaign.
Alexander McQueen x Björk
In 1997, Alexander McQueen collaborated
with Björk to create the artwork for the cover of her game changing ‘Homogenic’
album. He even directed the video for one of the albums singles. Their mutual
love for technology and nature made them the perfect creative duo.
Converse x Pharell, Santigold and Julian Casablancas
Back when Santigold was Santogold (ah 2008)
she collaborated with Pharell and The Strokes front man Julian Casablancas to
create a campaign and single for Converse. The campaign featured various
musicians both dead and alive as it’s been the shoe favored by musicians for
years, and the song was even my MySpace song, that’s nostalgia for you.
