When Fashion and Music Collide

Fashion and music are inseparable. Music has always been (in parts) about the image of the performer and that’s how fashion plays an important role in creating a lasting, iconic impact for certain international superstars - From Elvis and Bowie to Prince and Bjork. Image aside - how do music and fashion really relate to each other?

Popular trends in music are often reflected in the dress of the time, whether it’s genre-based ‘dress codes’ (think indie hipsters, black t-shirt wearing metal men and the b-boy hip hop set) or just an inspired look from a performer, music has always had a link to fashion, style and dress.

Of course, this is nothing new. It’s always been music leading the way with who, or what, looks ‘cool’ or what is ‘in’ – seemingly helped by our need to look, or be influenced by, our emotional connection to not only music, but also the performer.  Since the 1960’s with the Mod craze inspired by British acts such as The Beatles and The Who, through to the 80’s eccentricities of new wave a la Visage and the 90’s grunge Nirvana/Cobain-driven flannelette shirt era, music has been inspiring popular fashion (and sales).

It’s not the reverse, mind.  Rarely has it been the case that fashion lends music, or musicians, a hand.

But now, we’re beginning to see the balance of power in the relationship shift, as more artists embrace the exposure that fashion can bring in the still uncertain, and in some ways new, global music market. Like any brand segment, fashion wants to be associated with music and its vast, captive and emotive consumer audience.

From Ian Brown’s (of The Stone Roses and distinguished solo career) collaboration with Adidas Originals through to Converse’s recent promotion with Paloma Faith, Graham Coxon (of Blur) and Bill Ryder-Jones, mainstream fashion has been actively and commercially associating itself by promoting, supporting and funding artists in high-profile tie-ups.

Until recently, save for a few high-profile design lines and attendances at catwalk shows, musicians and luxury fashion haven’t been the closest of partners. Its mainly been brands such as Converse, Adidas, Puma, Diesel and other lifestyle brands that have taken the plunge into music.

All that has been quietly changing thanks to British label Burberry, which is more known for its trench coats and famous tartan pattern than independent rock. The label has created the Burberry Acoustic collaborations, which takes the lead in promoting different British musical artists.

The Burberry Acoustic concept revolves around supporting young British talent (which fits perfectly with their British spirit and context) and that support manifests itself in a series of beautifully recorded videos featuring indie British bands and artists performing acoustically in different places across the UK. In a wonderful collaboration which aims to promote indie British music but still keeping such promotion in line with the brand’s attitude.

Burberry Acoustic has recently featured British band Keane in their first video outside of the UK. The location was at the Great Wall of China and this came in support of Burberry’s event in Beijing. "I am a massive fan of Keane’s music - I think music and fashion have a symbiotic relationship. When you start to combine music with fashion together it gives you an energy and an attitude.” Says Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer.

Check the videos below and for more Burberry acoustic videos check out this website and their Facebook page.

Burberry Event featuring Keane in China

Burberry Acoustic - 'Back to Back' by Wolf Gang