Harry Styles: The New Age Fashion Icon?

By Nandini Narkar

*DISCLAIMER: THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION*

It’s finally here, the king's fashion collection debut! As of Milan Fashion Week, Gucci announced their collaboration with music phenomenon Harry Styles in a collection named “Ha Ha Ha”. Harry is set to collaborate with Gucci’s creative director to garner the seventies-inspired collection.

Over the years, music has influenced fashion like no other. Musicians like Rihanna, David Bowie, Cher, Madonna and more have birthed trends and fads. Musical fashion icons usually are created through their unique expression of self-identity and unconventional clothing. Hence, this recent collaboration made me wonder why we consider Harry Styles to be at the centre of the new era of fashion icons?

It could be his love for the vintage silhouettes in a generation obsessed with past trends or his subtle mix of androgyny that Harry Lambert (his stylist) incorporates, with ease, for an audience who shops beyond gender. His style is as provoking as it is up-to-date. It is seamless in its method to be special and expressive of Harry Styles’ musical persona. His fashion is almost a reflection of his music; the vibes, lyrics, dorky demeanour and deep voice are somehow encapsulated in his outfits. The playful overalls, cosy sweaters and colourful suits all remind me of the feeling of listening to a Harry album; Lively, comforting, and somewhat mainstream.

However, A lot of people dismiss Harry's impact by stating that others have done the same thing before him. I don’t think that Harry is any different or better than the gender-benders who have come before him (David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Mick Jagger, Billy Porter etc.). He’s simply taking ahead what his icons established; unity, diversity and freedom of expression. The only parallels that can be drawn are those of standing apart from others. He has a unique and very specific take on what is a decade's worth of trailblazing.

Since he's one of the biggest acts on the planet, it is hard for his 70s style to fall behind. It is a definite factor that intertwines into the immense influence he has over his fans- in terms of fashion. He is current, he is everything his fanbase loves and he spikes conversation. And most importantly, he is the only one in the current age of western music who takes fashion as seriously as his art. He is different today. That's what places him in the centre.

He has a unique style that is also subversive of societal expectations. He is without a doubt one of the best-dressed musicians. A style that I thoroughly enjoy. However, it is still hard for me to label him as a fashion icon. His dressing sense always seems one notch shy from being something new or completely mindblowing. It's not iconic. Maybe because I'm conditioned to his way of styling, the dresses or victorian buttons ups don't shock me. I'm still waiting for my Style Shock moment. With every new Harry era, we see something new and bolder, and that could be extended to his fashion as well. While he might not be an icon in my eyes, I have no doubt that he will be soon. Harry Styles; the potential fashion icon?

I’ve always adored his style, pearls and all and cannot wait to see what Gucci cooks up for this collaboration. It's going to be Harry’s style in its purest form.

Alexa, play Style by Taylor Swift.

*DISCLAIMER: THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION*