Wednesday 2 November 2011

Shoot for the Stars! Designers & Showbiz

I was doing an international management course with conventional business speakers when a young economist finished his speech with one of the best pieces of advice I ever got: "Shoot for the f***ing stars!"

Fergie from Black Eyed Peas wearing Studio_xo

Some designers are doing just that, literally, maybe it's not done deliberately, but the fact is, more and more music stars look for the most extravagant fashion minds to dress up on stage.

For instance, XO is a fashion and technology company exploring digital skins and computational surfaces in, on and around the human body. Studio XO's clients include The Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga.


Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga is renowned for her eccentric fashion choices and on the cover of her latest single "Marry the Night" she wears a black rubber body armour which is the result of a collaboration between the young Filipino fashion designer Kermit Tesoro and sculptor Leroy New.  


Beyoncé, source: vogue.co.uk


In 2009, Beyoncé Knowles decided to wear the young designer David Koma to collect her MTV award, prompting him to international acclaim. 

"Beyoncé represents the ideal woman that inspires me, I'm delighted that she wore my dress to collect her award and feel privileged and incredibly proud that a worldwide superstar has shown such support." David Koma


Fergie wearing Erevos Aether & my favourite piece from his SS12 collection


Erevos Aether is also dressing the stars, Fergie from Black Eyed Peas looked ravishing with his gold mirrored dress in concert.

Rihanna also supports emerging talent, she showed up on "Good Morning America" with an amazing white beaded blazer from the young Irish fashion designer Dean Quinn, who's just had his debut show in  the latest New York Fashion Week.  



Rihanna


The Black and White dress from the latest Ada Zandition's collection is also fit for the stage, playing with different volumes and adding drama to whoever wears it.



Ada Zandition SS12

Or the leather bodice pieces created by Úna Burke, they can easily be worn by a contemporary music diva, even though she was inspired by Ancient Egyptians who strove for eternal life through their burial practices. 



Úna Burke SS12


And obviously I have to mention Gareth Pugh, his debut collection was a sensation among the fashion crowd, totally hilarious with big circle balls in red leather on the head, cutting-edge and certainly fit for a performance.

His shows continue to lead the way for edgy designs and he has dressed both Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, the two most powerful women of the music industry according to Forbes magazine.



Gareth Pugh SS12 catwalk show


Are young designers targeting music stars? Or are music stars looking for young designers? Whatever is happening one thing is for sure, this is a win-win relationship.

Designers can be outrageous but still commercially viable and music stars can create a strong visual impact which helps to connect to their fans on a deeper level by expressing different sides of their persona.


Other related posts:
Pencil Skirt, a Fashion Statement
The Power of a Dress
Leather's Touch... A Styling Trend!