As stated previously, the goal of this site is to establish a connection between the world and its people through what we wear and what we hear and finding and relating the emotions of what’s in our ears and on our backs. In a world where divisiveness seems to be at an all-time high, it is imperative to find the connections between our world and each other, especially in aspects of life we enjoy, but often find our differences in. This post will be dedicated to manifesting the exact mantra we have set. Finding outfits from prominent fashion kings, and connecting them to music. Quite often an inividuals journey is mirrored in their song choices as well as their fashion choices. You can almost get a sense of where an individual is at in their life based on their closet and playlist. From here on, we will expolore this theory.
Ezra Koenig for High Snobiety & Vampire Weekend’s “Unbearably White”
“I ran up the mountain, out of your sight. The snow on the peak was just unbearably white.” The talks of snow and a peak compliment the use of his jacket, a patterned fleece that catches the eye instantly. The song additionally goes through its own peaks and valleys, building up and then coming back down to earth even ending on isolated vocals. This connects to his choice of footwear, socks, and sandals. From head to toe, an eye-catching fleece, out of the ordinary salmon chinos, and finally it all isolates itself to socks and sandals. Its almost a mountain climbing or hiking outfit from head to legs, but the sandals completely take that notion of hiking out of the equation. This could put into perspective the lyric “There’s an avalanche coming. Don’t cover your eyes. It’s what you thought that you wanted
It’s still a surprise” A lyric which can be interpreted to be about life, sometimes we want or need change, but we curl up, or are not prepared and attempt to avoid it, even if it was what we wanted. Almost as if going on a mountainous landscape in sandals, and wanting to see snow, but still being surprised.
Jonah Hill & Jaden Smith’s “Watch Me”
“Watch me, watch me. Watch me, do this. Watch me, watch me. Watch me, do this.” When Jonah Hill, the fit god, went out in public and saw paparazzi he did one thing, told his friends “Watch This” and tucked in his vintage Phoenix Suns Jersey into his pants, and walked out, confident. This is complimented by the boisterous Jaden Smith tune is an anthem for those who are confident in themselves, and know that any choice they make, whether career based (i.e. Jonah Hill’s directorial debut with A24 “Mid-90s”), or fashion-based (i.e this outfit) will become almost instantly successful, or at the very least talked about. Jaden’s voice mimics the Phoenix Suns jersey, relaxed, calm, but simultaneously eye-catching like the chorus where he goes into an aggressive. While the drums and bass work in conjunction with Jonah’s choice of bottoms, sophisticated, classic, and overall in great taste.
Kanye West during Sunday Service & Kanye West’s “Everything We Need”
“We began after the storm inside.” This is a strong statement to open up a seemingly upbeat song. The line could be interpreted as not being able to find one’s true self until going through fierce hardships within themselves. Something this Hip Hop icon has seemed to have done many times over, and all right in front of mainstream America’s eyes. His outfit during one of his recent Sunday Service outings tells a similar story. Previous eras of Kanye fashion has been extravagant, “you can’t get this but I have it” type of style. This is apparent in a verse in one of his early works “All Falls Down” off his debut The College Dropout. “Then I spent four hundred bucks on this Just to be like, you ain’t up on this.” But after rediscovering his faith and Christianity, it is no question that he has dialed it back and this outfit is a testament to that. Tame monochromatic earth tones, almost reminiscent of biblical attire, match the lyrics of this song. “We have everything we need” why would we need another outlandish outfit. However, Kanye is sporting a pair of his YEEZY foam runners, which compliment the futuristic synth at the end of the track. The track and this outfit bring the past and future into one singular idea.
Tyler, The Creator at the 2020 Grammy’s & Tyler, The Creator’s “PUPPET”
I’m your puppet, you control me.” “What is your wish? It can be granted.” Two unnerving lines from Tyler, the Creator on the tack puppet off his recent album IGOR. Listening to this song, it is fitting that he chose to wear a concierge inspired outfit at the most recent iteration of the Grammys. Looking like a character straight out of Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, the pink tone is an eye-catching display. Accompanying Tyler, a suitcase filled with his newest GOLF collection, a fashion brand he started himself. The song is a chilling ode to letting yourself go for the sake of someone else, almost acting like their servant. (i.e their concierge) Sparking pianos contrast the melancholy lyrics, and features a cameo from recently mentioned Kanye West almost acting like his guardian angel trying to help him come to his senses, putting yourself in that position isn’t a life you want to live. The song ends with a phrase uttered by Jerrod Carmichael, “But at some point, you come to your senses.” At some point, Tyler will come to his senses and get out of the concierge outfit. He will then put on what is in the suitcase which represents his true self, breaking out of the box.
Travis Scott in Celine Spring 2011 & Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode”
“Y’all know I don’t follow suit” It is no secret that the Kanye West and Travis Scott comparisons have came in droves ever since the Houston Rapper stepped on the scene. However, he has managed to carve out his own scene and catapulte himself into super stardom. This outfit’s main piece is a vitage Celine Spring 2011 blouse, something so iconically worn by Kanye West in his era defining Coachella performance during that same year. It would seem to not be a good move to wear something so tightly connected to someone who you draw comparisons to so frequently. However, Vogue summed up Travis’ exectuion of this outfit so perfectly. “Scott’s good taste in vintage was underscored by his inventive styling. Rather than replicate West’s blingy, bare-chested approach, he did his own thing, throwing on ripped jeans, the Air Force Ones from Comme des Garcon’s Nike collaboration, and an oversized platinum Cuban link chain. These new elements combined to create an outfit that felt fresh instead of borrowed from West’s fashion oeuvre.” The same goes for his chart topping Drake featured song “Sicko Mode” off his #1 album Astroworld. This was the moment when he stepped out of the shadow and into the spotlight and established himself as Hip Hops new resident superstar. It’s avant garde song structure and production choices are remenicent of some of West’s best work, but it feels fresh instead of “borrowed from West’s musical oeuvre”
