STYLE WISDOM
Music Videos: Runways for Wearable Couture
by Vard Mov
Colombian-born pop star Kali Uchis dropped the music video to her new single “No Hay Lay” last week–it was so visually fashion-forward that the music almost felt like an accompanying soundtrack instead of the main artistic attraction.
The music video takes place on the streets of Paris, with Uchis running, pushing and jumping her way through traffic and people. Its fun frenetic energy stars second, however, to the haute couture she wears throughout.
“Equally spirited is the kaleidoscope of wild and wonderful fashion Uchis wears across the course of the visual, stomping through the streets of Paris in slinky bodysuits and slips by white-hot designers like Vaillant Studio, Ottolinger, and KNWLS—as well as a particularly eye-catching pair of slashed jeans by Ludovic de Saint Sernin—before walking a red carpet in a runway-ready hot pink sculptural dress by Alphonse Maitrepierre.” Said Vogue is a recent feature on the video.
So, where’s the line when it comes to the mediums of music and fashion–or is there one at all?
The music video takes place on the streets of Paris, with Uchis running, pushing and jumping her way through traffic and people. Its fun frenetic energy stars second, however, to the haute couture she wears throughout.
“Equally spirited is the kaleidoscope of wild and wonderful fashion Uchis wears across the course of the visual, stomping through the streets of Paris in slinky bodysuits and slips by white-hot designers like Vaillant Studio, Ottolinger, and KNWLS—as well as a particularly eye-catching pair of slashed jeans by Ludovic de Saint Sernin—before walking a red carpet in a runway-ready hot pink sculptural dress by Alphonse Maitrepierre.” Said Vogue is a recent feature on the video.
So, where’s the line when it comes to the mediums of music and fashion–or is there one at all?
The musicians are the ones introducing wearable cutting-edge fashion to the masses through their videos, while the red carpet and runway appearances were reserved for the less wearable haute-couture.
Growing up watching music videos from the late 90s and early 2000s was a truly special pre-internet experience for me. I was heavily influenced by the fun, eclectic fashion of icons like the Spice Girls and Beyoné, who sported crop tops, cargo pants and go-go boots before anyone else did. It felt like within those dancy, mesmerizing music videos was a beautiful unknown world where anything was possible–and I wanted to join in on the action with my style.
Music videos have historically been a space where the hottest designers can flex their attire and accessories on the hippest musical stars, as an inherently cooler, more in-motion alternative to the runway. The musicians are the ones introducing wearable cutting-edge fashion to the masses through their videos, while the red carpet and runway appearances were reserved for the less wearable haute-couture.
Take the famous red-leather jacket from Michael Jackson’s 13-minute-long 1983 Thriller music video–widely considered to be the most iconic music video ever made. Designed by costume designer extraordinaire Deborah Nadoolman Landis, who also designed for Animal House (1978), The Blues Brothers (1980), Coming to America (1988) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), this candy-apple-red, many zippered jacket had a futuristic, Star Trek-esque look to it, and became thee the "hottest outerwear fad of the mid-1980s".
While the jacket was special, the look was also attainable, which is why so many would try to rock a similar piece, greatly impacting the trajectory of 80s fashion. Because of its omnipotent legacy, this singular jacket would later go on to auction for $1.8 million.
Music videos have historically been a space where the hottest designers can flex their attire and accessories on the hippest musical stars, as an inherently cooler, more in-motion alternative to the runway. The musicians are the ones introducing wearable cutting-edge fashion to the masses through their videos, while the red carpet and runway appearances were reserved for the less wearable haute-couture.
Take the famous red-leather jacket from Michael Jackson’s 13-minute-long 1983 Thriller music video–widely considered to be the most iconic music video ever made. Designed by costume designer extraordinaire Deborah Nadoolman Landis, who also designed for Animal House (1978), The Blues Brothers (1980), Coming to America (1988) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), this candy-apple-red, many zippered jacket had a futuristic, Star Trek-esque look to it, and became thee the "hottest outerwear fad of the mid-1980s".
While the jacket was special, the look was also attainable, which is why so many would try to rock a similar piece, greatly impacting the trajectory of 80s fashion. Because of its omnipotent legacy, this singular jacket would later go on to auction for $1.8 million.
Infamous red jacket from the Thriller video.
Many of our fashion icons of today are musicians–think of Lady Gaga’s daring outfits (how could we forget the Meat ‘Fit?) or the fashion empire of Kanye West. Thanks to Harry Styles, I see those fluffy, colorful scarves everywhere now.
The link between fashion and music has always existed–and it’s apparent that we should be looking to music videos rather than your average fashion magazine to get a glimpse of what’s to come in the fashion world.
The link between fashion and music has always existed–and it’s apparent that we should be looking to music videos rather than your average fashion magazine to get a glimpse of what’s to come in the fashion world.
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