Remember Madonna in her conical bras (Jean Paul Gaultier) and fishnets? Or Lady Gaga in her shiny leather cutout bodysuits? Over the years, music artistes have been as much in the news for their music as for their fashion sense. Everything I learned about fashion sprung out of my love for music. Growing up in the 1990s, Michael Jackson taught me that black leather jackets with frills could be paired with a simple white t-shirt. That’s not surprising, says Manisha Tiwari, New Delhi-based fashion stylist. “When pop stars and fashion come together, a dynamic union is formed, paving a way for new trends and culture.”
International stars like Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Madonna and Fergie are known for their quirky style but few know that many of these designs have Indian origins. The latest to join this bandwagon is designer Kushali Kumar who recently styled Shakira for her appearance on the music show ‘The Voice’. The designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock are best known for Katy Perry’s green feathered body-con mini for her 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards appearance. Rihanna, Nikki Minaj, Lady Gaga, M.I.A. and Katy Perry, have all donned quirky Manish Arora outfits for events.
But, on the stage these performers have to strike a unique balance between being a reflection of their musical genre, their personal style, a sense of glamour and theatre. “Live shows can be both over the top and personal, ranging from elaborate sets with backup dancers to just a vocal performance with the singer on a bar stool. The outfits also have to reflect the mood of the stage,” says Tiwari.
Closer home, as a new crop of female singers take the stage, their style and clothing are also in the news. Actor and singer Andrea Jeremiah prefers to keep things event specific and opts for a mix of Indian designers and international brands, “If it’s an award show performance, then I opt for a gown or a formal dress. If it’s a corporate show, then a short dress. If I’m performing at a college, it’s jeans and flats so I can jump around onstage.”
Singer Anushka Manchanda combines rock edgy with feminine motifs and silhouettes with ease. She pulls off high street fashion and designer buys, with the same elan. “Anushka Manchanda is a style icon among the new crop of Indian female singers. Her rockstar and grunge sensibility are a treat at live gigs. As a stylist I would love to see her create a rockstar look with strong Indian fashion elements,” says Mumbai-based Nirali Mehta.
For Los Angeles-based, singer-songwriter Suvi, music and fashion are symbiotic, “They are both art and help express my emotions through two different mediums. Personally I’m not a fan of big brands”, she says. For her shows in LA, she opts for pieces that are feminine yet oozing with the cool quotient. “I prefer brands like Guess and Bebe any day because they are both edgy and classy. While performing on stage I never stick to one style, I wear what suits the mood that day for my performance.”
Performer Monica Dogra has an eclectic fashion sense, inspired by her upbringing in New York and Indian roots. “My onstage persona is highly stylised, dramatic, and attempts to raise the bar of communication and expression. I dance, I wear fabrics that billow in the wind, and very minimal jewelry as it tends to restrict my movements. I’ve been a fan of Jenjum Gadi, Manish Arora, and Sailex in the past,” says Dogra.
Mumbai-based Sona Mohapatra’s onstage persona is filled with drama -- from capes and trench coats to floor-length anarkali’s. “She celebrates her Indian roots in a contemporary scenario as she pairs leather boots with long cotton skirts, she is slowly inspiring many young girls to break the boxes of cliches,” says Tiwari.
As she prepares for her next live show, singer Shakthisree Gopalan tells me how she loves high-street glamour. “I let the genre and vibes dictate my fashion sense. If it’s an Indian music show, then I go with something more loud and colourful. For my independent music, I prefer more girl-next-door. I love anything that Ellie Goulding wears. For her shows she keeps it easy and it syncs so well with her music. Brands like Zara and Vero Moda work well for the kind of fashion I like. I love graphic t shirts and have picked them up from small stores when I tour. I like to blend western cuts with Indian elements. I would pair a tunic with skinny jeans and boots.”
The music industry will continue to inspire new trends in fashion and, as Adele embraces her curves in A-line dresses in sixties pop with her smokey eye-shadow and Lana del Rey blends old Hollywood style with retro pop, they are creating fashion aesthetics that will resonate with both fans and fashion enthusiasts.
