Today we lost one of the most influential people to have ever existed. David Bowie shaped the image of the rock n roll star and inspired some of the most amazing music to date. His influence also extends to fashion and film by inspiring collections by Jean Gaultier and appearing on soundtracks for some of the most memorable moments in film. I've written this post to celebrate the continuing influence of David Bowie and to pay tribute to his extraordinary ability to create and inspire.
Fashion
Jean Paul Gaultier
Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring/Summer 2013 ready to wear show was inspired by the fashion icons of the 1980s such as David Bowie, Madonna, Boy George and Grace Jones. The above pictures show the influence of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust persona which was epitomized by choppy orange/red hair, knitted leotards, jumpsuit, lashings of eyeshadow and the occasional eyepatch. The image of Ziggy Stardust helped to inspire the creation of the glam rock look.
Miu Miu
Miu Miu's Fall collection in 2012 is heavily influenced by the iconic image of David Bowie in the video for Life on Mars (the 1971 single which was featured on the album Hunky Dory). The androgynous look consisted of over-sized pantsuits, silk ties and light blue eyeshadow.
Givenchy
Givenchy's Spring 2010 ready to wear show presented a black and white geometrically stripped blazer that is almost identical to the one worn by David Bowie in the seventies during his Aladdin Zane phase.
Dries Van Noten
Dries Van Noten acknowledges the influence of the image of David Bowie as The Thin White Duke for the Fall 2011 collection. The collection featured redish blonde slicked back hair, oversized blazers and pleated trousers. The show was also accompanied by a deconstructed version of David Bowie's song Golden Years. The tribute to David Bowie continued in the Fall 2011 womenswear collection. During the show images of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust was projected behind the runway and a remixed version of Hereos accompanied the presentation.
The Kate Moss Vogue Covers
David Bowie inspired two vogue covers which featured Kate Moss impersonating the singer. The Vogue UK cover for the May 2003 issue shows Kate adorned with the famous lighting bolt which David Bowie wore for the iconic album cover for Aladdin Sane. Kate Moss appeared as David Bowie again in 2011 for the Vogue Paris December issue, this time dressed as Ziggy Stardust. Last year Kate Moss accepted a Brit award for David Bowie while wearing the famous Ziggy Stardust playsuit. The Kate Moss as David Bowie impersonation continues...
Film
The Runaways
The 2010 biopic of the band The Runaways features a scene in which Cherie Currie, played by Dakota Fanning, dresses up as Ziggy Stardust and mimes to the song Lady Grinning Soul. I really love this scene because it epitomizes teenage rebellion and shows the influence of Bowie in popular culture.
Inglorious Basterds
One of my favourite scenes from the 2009 film by Quentin Tarantino is the scene in which Shosanna applies "warpaint" to the David Bowie's song Cat People. I think this song is the perfect accompaniment to Shosanna's transformation into a fearless nazi killer.
Frances Ha
The 2013 film directed by Noel Baumbach is about a dancer called Frances, played by Greta Gerwig who struggles to get her life together after her best friend Sophie moves out of her apartment and she is forced to move. The scene in which Frances runs and dances through the streets of New York to Modern Love by David Bowie is my favourite scene in the movie. You can watch it here.
I hope you liked this post, I haven't written one like this before but I really enjoyed it. Let me know in the comments below if you can think of any more tributes to David Bowie in popular culture
Ah the news is so sad! I actually found out through the influx of tributary posts on my instagram feed :/
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