The Everlasting Love of Fashion and Music

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.

FROM PARIS TO LA - DOES PARIS FASHION HAVE TO ORIGINATE IN PARIS?

Paris fashion is known for its timeless classic feel, just like London fashion  is know for its creativity and youth culture influences, but just how important is it that those designing for Paris houses are themselves situated in Paris?

It seems more and more houses are choosing to design abroad from Paris. Is that bad and does that effect the house and its designs?

Saint Laurent SS13 Campaign shot by Hedi Slimane (Source: http://nymag.com/)

One of the most famous Paris houses Yves Saint Laurent has been recently shaken up by the arrival of Hedi Slimane as its new creative director. The house was first created in the early sixties and revolutionized french fashion by fusing masculine tailoring with womanly silhouettes. The classic strong design has become synonymous with the house until Slimanes recent arrival. Slimane firstly, and rather controversially, changed the name by dropping the Yves to simple Saint Laurent. 

Its been known that Slimanes design studio is not located in the European city but is in fact located in sunny LA. Is this affecting his designs for the house? How can you understand Parisian style in a completely different surrounding? 

Street Style Photo by Tommy Ton (Source: jakandjil.com)

Moreover, Celine creative director Phoebe Philo has revealed she designs from her home in London so as to be closer to her family, although she does make regular trips to the french capital. I feel that Philo understand French style more than Slimane, her time at Celine has warranted success and acclaim. Perhaps this is due to her previous experiance at another Paris fashion house, Chloe. 

I honestly don't believe you can get a feel of where your house originates if you aren't surrounding yourself with its culture etc., but being in Europe I feel Philo understands more so than Slimane. She appears to be fusing exciting inventive British style with classic, sophisticated Parisian silhouettes. Slimane is no doubt creating beautiful clothes but they seem very far away from past YSL designs although with a similar dark colour palette. Do you think Paris fashion has to originate in Paris?