Burberry's open hand tribute to Bowie's death at London Collections Men in 2016. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images
Today is the 72nd birthday of one of the world's greatest rock stars, David Bowie who passed away in early 2016. The musician was a barrier-breaking style icon, pushing gender boundaries through his rouged cheeks, love for velvet blouses and strapped platforms.
In recent years, we've witnessed some of fashion's best gender-fluid moments: Jaden Smith in a skirt for Louis Vuitton, Ezra Miller in a Montcler Pierpaolo Piccioli puffer gown at the movie premiere of 'Fantastic Beasts' and just a few months ago, A$AP Rocky in a silk babushka headscarf by Gucci. In 2019, androgyny has become the mode but it was Bowie and his constant reinventions throughout his long illustrious career that had proved that style has no gender.
We remember his impact on the world of fashion by decoding the style of his three personas and teaching you how to capture Bowie’s ethereal look, from Ziggy Stardust, Thin White Duke to Goblin King from the film, ‘Labyrinth.’
Thin White Duke
David Bowie performing as persona Thin White Duke at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1976. Photo by PA
Just after four years, Bowie bids goodbye to the extravagance of Ziggy Stardust and slips into a more structured and clean look. This persona, Thin White Duke is said to have been conceived during a time where the musician was struggling with an intense addiction to substances. A restrained white shirt, sleek blonde hair and structured trousers became the essence of this character.
A structured dark blazer, straight-leg trousers and slicked back hair – check out below on achieving the Thin White Duke aesthetic.
Left: Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2019. Prada blazer, approx. RM10,441.69; MAX MARA Cropped stretch-wool straight-leg pants, approx. RM2,777.62
