Pop Star Fashion: A Stylish Encore
Chappell Roan is easily one of the modern greats of our time, not just musically, but also fashionably. Channeling her self-proclaimed inner “midwestern princess,” Roan deviates from conventional music fashion by tackling specific themes within her stage deliveries. Her portfolio of outfits has ranged from the Statue of Liberty to birds and butterflies. For every carpet, festival, or talk show appearance, it seems she has a perfectly composed ensemble of clothing. Her outfits are so detailed that even her accessories demand as much attention as the typical main piece of an outfit would.
Image Courtesy: Atwood Magazine
In contrast, Sabrina Carpenter has seemingly revived the glittery and feminine glam of pop stardom, garnering her the title of “pop princess.” First gaining widespread attention at her opening act of the Eras tour, her outfits enhanced the crowd's admiration for the singer’s set, resulting in a new wave of fans.
Although seemingly contradictory in their respective styles, Roan and Carpenter have begun the momentum of a much bigger movement within the music industry: the revival of extravagant glam fashion on the stage. Let’s look at its lineage to see which industry predecessors flourishing celebs like Roan and Carpenter likely draw their inspiration from.
MADONNA: THE CULTURAL BLUEPRINT
“Art should be controversial, and that’s all there is to it,”.
Image Courtesy: Vogue
To say Madonna is a woman of her word is an understatement. Known for pushing the conventions of society at every part of her stardom, Madonna is seemingly credited with laying the foundation for outlandish and extravagant fashion.
Perhaps the most renowned and groundbreaking Madonna look, the cone bra, debuted on stage during her 1990 “Blonde Ambition” tour during the performance of the hit “Express Yourself.” Designed by John Paul Gaultier, the outfit garnered so much controversial media attention that it propelled the designer to the forefront of the fashion landscape.
In Vogue’s words, “What made Madonna’s take on this undergarment truly subversive, though, was its nuances…. it rebelled against the narrow definition of the … female body that… had been dictated…” What made the scene so shocking and controversial was the cone bra’s emphasis on androgyny, accentuating both the feminine features of breasts with sharp geometric lines found in a man.
Madonna’s costume choices, not just intended to turn heads but also carry symbolism, paved the way for her to climb the creative ladder of the music industry, winning respect (and lack thereof) in the process. Essentially, she had guts. “This was a pop star in control, and her outfits told the story before she even opened her mouth to sing…”.
LADY GAGA: THE CULTURAL RESET
Image Courtesy: Just Jared
Lady Gaga’s meat dress is highly criticized and adored across the board. Nearly everyone is familiar with it based on hearsay alone. However, the various crowd reactions among the front rows of the 2010 Video Music Awards say everything with nothing more than a photo. Seriously, go check it out on Reddit.
The sheer novelty of wearing a meat dress, let alone at the VMAs, draws a blaring resemblance to Madonna's ballsiness, while still building her brand. In addition to the meat dress, Lady Gaga is known for delivering incredible and unpredictable performances. Gaga's fans have learned to show up with a single expectation: to leave amazed. Her unpredictability has allowed her to remain fresh throughout her long-lasting career in the industry while cementing her legacy in the process.
CHAPPELL & SABRINA: THE CULTURAL REVIVAL
Image Courtesy: Billboard
That now brings us back to the present. Speaking of, Carpenter even sported Madonna’s 1991 Oscars gown at the recent 2024 VMAs. It’s safe to say Madonna’s influence is still spreading through the industry, making a lasting impact on generations that follow. As for Gaga and Roan, the two had a digital interaction via TikTok, in which Roan shared a clip of her covering Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” Gaga commented, “I love Chappell,” followed by four black hearts. Between Carpenter’s steady balance of glamor and chaos (e.g., making out with an alien in a VMAs performance!) and Roan’s artistic reprise of stage presence, it’s hopeful that the industry will continue to draw on the brilliance of those past while paving the way for innovation and creation in the future.
Strike Out,
Writer: Paige McGuinn
Editor: Layne Schulte
Graphic Designer: Kate LaPine
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