As the world gets increasingly connected, it is becoming more and more commonplace to find cultural expressions of different places and times coalescing on the same stage. From fashion to art, and even to music, “cultural mashing” is on full display every day. Celebrity style has become a powerful vehicle for these voices to meet and take shape, allowing us to appreciate the beautiful collision of old-world tradition with modern, cutting-edge style. This article takes a deeper look at this phenomenon and how cultural expressions can be brought to life through celebrity style.
1. When Tradition Meets the Red Carpet: How Cultural Expressions Inspire Celebrity Style
Between award ceremonies, music festivals, and fashion weeks, it seems that celebrity style is forever evolving. What is not a secret though, is the significant influence that various cultures have had on celebrity style for decades. Whether it be through an iconic jewelry piece, an embroidered ensemble, or an unexpected color pairing, traditional attire can often be found at red carpets worldwide.
A perfect example of a culture inspiring modern-day celebrity style is West African fashion. With their region-specific fabrics and textures, contemporary West African designers have made an impact on prominent red carpets. From bold African prints seen on John Boyega at the EE British Academy Film Awards to beautifully tailored dresses worn by Lupita Nyong’o at Golden Globe Parties, African style has become a Western staple for a select few.
The impact of Middle Eastern culture is also evident in the pandemic of 2020. Through intricate jewelry pieces, modest clothing, and bold makeup trends, Middle Eastern styles are being embraced by artists like Halle Berry, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Kendall Jenner – among many others. Additionally, the emergence of more modest fashion designers such as Reem Acra, Marchesa’s Georgina Chapman and Burberry’s chief creative officer, Riccardo Tisci, has helped to open up the conversation about these influences.
The most iconic of them all though, is an example of South Asian cultural influence – the saree. From the Miss Universe pageant to royal weddings, this beautiful garment has been modified to fit the Western world. Seen on celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, the saree has given way to many vibrant hybrids, allowing for a diverse range of uses. One of the most interesting such uses is that of a cape gown, featured in designer collections by Prabal Gurung and Monique Lhuillier.
In today’s digital age, ethnic influences on modern fashion have become increasingly more visible. It only takes a small step to bridge the gap between traditional attire and modern fashion, giving rise to some truly extraordinary looks.
- West African Fashion
- Middle Eastern Culture
- South Asian Sarees
2. Embracing Heritage: The Fusion of Traditional and Contemporary Fashion on the Global Stage
Fashion has always embraced the intersection between tradition and modernity, creating an impeccable fusion between the two. This reflects the multi-cultural nature of society and allows us to express both our heritage and our creativity in our clothes. As fashion designers use this convergence, clothing becomes a powerful representation of culture in a constantly changing world.
The traditional elements of fashion often include the use of natural materials, artisanal embroidery, and elaborate silhouettes, which make these clothing pieces look unique and timeless. On the other hand, modern elements often include cutting-edge technology and avant-garde design, which aim to break conventional silhouettes and offer daring looks. By combining these two elements, fashion designers are able to create looks that are both timeless and up-to-date.
The globalization of fashion is a key factor in how traditional and contemporary fashion have come together on the global stage. This has enabled traditional clothing to be embraced by a global audience, and also to influence how modern fashion is designed. For example, many modern clothing designers have found inspiration in traditional dress, using bold colors, intricate hand embroidery, and bold prints.
Fashion is an ever-evolving art form that people from all different backgrounds and cultures can appreciate. By embracing traditional elements and using modern design to create unique and innovative looks, fashion designers are pushing the boundaries of fashion and creating something truly special. With the help of influential platforms like the catwalk and social media, these traditional and contemporary fashions will continue to inspire people around the world and will be celebrated for generations to come.
- Natural materials. Utilizing a variety of fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk to create timeless looks.
- Handmade embroidery. Use of intricate stitching or beading to create unique pieces.
- Contemporary technology. Utilizing advanced methods like 3-D printing and laser cutting to create avant-garde pieces.
- Bold prints and colors. Incorporating bright colors and bold patterns to break traditional silhouettes.
By embracing both traditional and contemporary fashion, designers are creating looks that will inspire people across the globe, and will carry on the heritage that is so important to fashion. Whether it’s on the catwalk or on the street, these traditional and contemporary designs will always be in style.
3. From Runways to Iconic Festivals: Exploring the Influence of Cultural Traditions in Celebrity Fashion
Celebrities have long been in the spotlight and are renowned for their style of wardrobe and expression of fashion—more often than not, these fashions have been inspired by the culture they are accustomed and familiar with. From extravagant runway shows to iconic festivals, culture is deeply rooted in celebrity fashion.
The Influence of Runway Fashion
From New York City to Tokyo, fashion runways are full of highly creative styles that often draw influence from various cultures. In the fashion world, the aim of the game is to be bold, creative, and unique – all of which are reflected in the garments debuted on the runway. Celebrities take note of these styles and are often seen wearing variations of the glamorous ensembles.
One of the latest trends to hit the red carpet circuit is inspired by the Spring/Summer 2020 Valentino runway. The pastel colors, paisley prints, and bold patterns of these designs had a massive impact on celebrity fashion, adding a touch of personalized flair to their usual wardrobe.
The Power of Iconic Festivals
Festivals are the perfect place for celebrities to make a statement with their fashion. From the super-glam ensembles of Coachella to the bright neon ensembles of EDC, celebrity fashion is influenced by the trends found at festivals all over the world.
- At the ultra-glamorous Cannes Film Festival, stars share the limelight with designer gowns and chic haute couture—all of which represent the cultures and countries that are represented at the festival.
- Glastonbury is the iconic British festival that is often associated with music, but one cannot ignore its influence on fashion. From intricate designs to eye-catching colors, these fashions have broadened celebrity style and have been worn in many other fashionable events.
Whether it be for a casual movie premiere or a red carpet event, fashion is one of the key components of celebrity culture and it is heavily influenced by the traditions and cultures of different venues. From runways to iconic festivals, these elements help to create a world of art, culture, and fashion that is truly unique.
4. Spotlight on Celebrity Style: Celebrating the Diversity and Resilience of Cultural Expressions
From platform sneakers to wrap blouses, this season everyone is talking about the latest trends in celebrity dressing. With a new wave of fashionistas making their way into the spotlight, fashion has never been so diverse and individualized as it is now. Layered with meaning and purpose, the diversity of cultural style has become an act of resilience.
DIY accessories – Many stars are crafting their own unique takes on classic jewelry pieces. Whether it’s adding colourful beads to an old necklace or giving an old t-shirt a new lease of life, there’s no shortage of experimentation here.
- Designer Simi Dawes played with her signature beaded jewelry to create a more eco-friendly approach to clothing and accessories.
- Israeli-Jamaican-influenced artist Melés turned a simple sock and felt piece into a couture-style handbag.
Recycled Denim – More people are turning to sustainable fabrics, including recycled denim, to create individualized looks. From destroyed jeans to half-finished denim dresses, upcycled denim makes it easier to combine vintage and modern designs.
- Anushka Sharma reinvented a 70s-inspired jean skirt with embroidery to take it to the next level.
- Model Gigi Hadid gave her jeans a cool vibe with slits and distressed detailing.
Branded Tees – While athleisurewear dominated the scene for several years, stars are now playing around with graphic tees, including retro logos, and slogan styles for a look that’s more street-style with a classic twist.
- Singer Ariana Grande kept it classic with her 90s inspired logo look.
- Zendaya opted for a classic slogan t-shirt paired with a leather mini and boots to make a statement.
Clearly, cultural influences are spilling across traditional style lines and bringing an uplift to everyday looks. As more celebrities continue to embrace their individual look and the diversity of their heritage, there will be more to discover, creating an ever-growing variety of bold new styles.
Celebrity style has been a remarkable canvas for a wide range of cultures and traditions for many years. From stylized costumes to unique, retro-inspired ensembles, celebrities’ clothing has helped further the cause of traditional wear everywhere. By making traditional pieces more accessible, they have been able to influence wider trends in fashion and society as a whole, creating an exciting platform for cultural expression.
