Rhythmic Fashion

I awoke this morning to a surprise in my mailbox. Someone dropped off a copy of Fashion Rocks, the September supplement to WIRED magazine. On it was a demure post-it with my name on it. I dismissed the mystery of its origin, but I quickly flipped through it and found some interesting, unpretentious articles, each highlighting the symbiotic relationship between fashion and music.

Marc Jacobs discussed the concept of his new collection, explaining that the layering coincided with a Goth/Grunge revival. The fashion industry was abuzz when everyone witnessed the intense shapes, textures, and layers of the show, but the collection is simply a counterpoint to skimpy teen clothing made popular by brands like Juicy Couture and Abercrombie. Remember the long plaid dresses over long-sleeved tees paired with wrist warmers? "It was a bit of the love of the original Belgian moment- that strange, alternative Goth look but more naive, without the cerebral element. It felt charming, refreshing. The antithesis of the sleazy, tit-flapping thing that's going on out there."

Furthermore, the magazine paired designers with their musical muses. Hedi Slimane and Phoenix collaborated when Slimane photographed the band on numerous occasions during visits to the studio where they were recording their second album. "So vital is music to Slimane's work today that his atelier has been constructed with a ceiling of some 200 speakers." And his inspiration from rock shows through his looks, which mix hipster cool with refined pieces. Luella Bartley and M.I.A. were longtime friends, each motivating each other to follow dream careers. M.I.A. would give Bartley feedback on her first proto designs. Likewise, M.I.A. would create her own vividly colorful pieces. Marc Jacobs and Rufus Wainwright met in a hotel in Venice and became friends. Jacobs was so affected by Wainwright's music that he was moved to tears. "I listen to music constantly when I work. The mood and stylistic choices inspire me and are absorbed in whatever I'm working on."

Also included are curious, somewhat humorous portraits of supermodels dressed as some of the music industry's fashion designers. Alex Wek posed as Missy Elliot and Sasha daringly emulated Eminem. Julia Stegner played Jessica Simpson, complete with shopping bags, cellphone, and Starbucks coffee while Liya Kebede slouched over as a nonchalant Pharrell. Isabelli Fontana wore fur and a long black dress to imitate Jennifer Lopez's glam look and Angela Lindvall was photographed with Harajuku girls like Gwen Stefani.

I'm not done with it yet, but it's a pretty cool issue. Check it out.