music and style...

For struggling musicians trying to get their music noticed, their clothing style can become an important part of defining themselves and their music. Often the musician’s look is singularly unique and has a rawness, energy and edge that’s created on a zero budget...

Fashion designers in turn, find inspiration in the musician’s style; Patti Smith, Madonna and Courtney Love in the early part of their careers have all been inspiration for fashion designers both here in NZ and overseas. The irony of the situation is that once the musician has hit the big time they are then exclusively dressed in (often gifted) designer clothes. For the musician their new wardrobe is a certain measure of commercial and financial success and for the designer it is the association, creating an edge to the designers work and for both musician and designer its mutual publicity.

Two bands that have women who have unique distinctive styles of dressing are The Dum Dum Girls and Victoria Legrand one half of duo Beach House. You may not have heard either of these bands and I doubt if either bands will or want to reach a Lady Ga Ga level of fame. Both bands fit into the category of “indie music” and they also have unique fashion sense that is as creative and singular as their music.

The Dum Dum Girls are an all female band based in L.A. who play fuzzy punky rock with vocal harmonies reminiscent of 60s girl groups. The band sport’s a unified look – a cool rebellious bad girl style. Dressed predominantly in black, they wear cropped leather motorcycle jackets, cute vintage dresses, very short skirts and pattered tights. Their eyes are lined with sixties looking black eye liner, red lips and dark fingernails contrasting with their pale skin. The band is the creation of their lead singer who goes by the cartoony name Dee Dee (real name Kirsten Gundred) For Dee Dee their clothing style is an important part of creating a strong band identity and stage persona.

Victoria Legrand’s clothing style is less calculated than The Dum Dum Girls but just as striking. Baltimore’s Beach House creates hazy ethereal music and Legrand style is feminine and has a kind of whimsical charm. Legrand favors op shop finds - long 70s maxi dresses, blouses with full floppy sleeves and flared jeans. Her choice of op shop clothing is obviously influenced by budget and she also has an appreciation of high end fashion designers. Legrand favors spontaneity and originality and refuses to stick to the constraints of a specific style but there is a definite softness to her look whatever she chooses to wear. Her long hair and heavy fringe is the kind of hair style a young Stevie Nicks had in the early 70s. Apart from bright lipstick and nail varnish she doesn’t wear a lot of make up; she keeps everything simple because as a busy musician she doesn’t have a lot of time to fuss with elaborate makeup.

I don’t think either The Dum Dum Girls or Beach House will become house hold names and that’s not what they are about. But who knows in years to come we may see fashion designers creating collections inspired by the style of these women.

Sarah-Jane Rowland