HE may not describe himself as a style icon, but Harry Styles can pride himself on having massively contributed, in the space of just one year, to the mainstreaming of fashion that is more fluid and non-gendered, unwittingly becoming the standard bearer of a generation that wants to put an end to stereotyping. The British actor and singer went even further in this direction this week with the launch of his brand of clean, vegan cosmetics, a line where all products are aimed at all genders.
For several years now, Harry Styles has been cultivating an androgynous look, a style that he has fun with at red-carpet noutings, gala social events, and concerts.
But it was just a year ago, at the end of 2020, that the global star definitively defied fashion conventions that emphasized the duality of men and women with the former nearly always appearing in dark colors and definitely not in pink and cuts and garments tailored to portray a singular, muscular representation of masculinity.
However, on the cover of the fashion bible Vogue, the former member of boy band One Direction posed in a Gucci dress.
It marked the first time that a man was featured on the cover of the American edition of the legendary magazine, and moreover in an outfit that had heretofore been associated with the female gender. It was a statement-making move that would shake up gender conventions.
Doing away with stereotypes
As with any (r)evolution, this cover met with a mixed reception from the public, generating some criticism and insults and, inevitably, sparking debate. But Harry Styles has received a significant boost from Gen Z, a generation not shy about exerting its powerful influence, and who are more supportive in this regard than previous generations.
It's a generation that is also highly determined when it comes to shattering anything remotely resembling a stereotype. "In terms of marketing targets, Generation Z doesn't fit neatly into the boxes, if only because it can't stand the stereotypes that are the legacy of older generations.
For example, they are totally averse to the notion of gender," explained Eric Briones, editorial director of the Journal du Luxe, last March.
There is no doubt that the British singer has not only understood the messages this generation wants to send messages that brands are struggling to decipher but that he has above all chosen to embrace it.
A prominent muse for the house of Gucci, Harry Styles has not stopped working this gender fluid fashion style throughout the year, all done without intention of being shocking or provocative, rather just with the desire to express his unique vision and his personality, through those most visible vectors of fashion and beauty.
And, as proof that the British star isn't mistaken in his stance, his desire to let his true fashion colors show, his fame has continued to grow over the last few months, making him one of the most influential celebrities in the fashion world.
Last March, Harry Styles chose a boa to jazz up his on-stage outfit for the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, creating an unprecedented or nearly unprecedented buzz for an accessory previously considered primarily feminine. Global fashion search platform Lyst observed a 1,500% jump in searches for feather boas no less than two days after the British singer's appearance at the music event.
His highly personal style, essentially based on a concept that has taken center stage in 2021, that of self-expression, also earned him a place at the top of The Year in Fashion ranking, also put together by the Lyst platform, a few months earlier. The ranking gave him the title of best-dressed celebrity of the year, a reward for the numerous search spikes generated by the outfits worn in his videos, or during his public outings.
And this week, the singer has once again caused a sensation, this time on the cover of DAZED, where he appears posing in lilac-colored flared pants and a cut-out top, in an exaggerated way, on a motorcycle. Inside the magazine, in the feature article dedicated to him, he also appears in a green sweater dress and polka dot tights, a semi-transparent jumpsuit, and oversize quilted coat.
A photo shoot that confirms the star's desire to push back against stereotypes and diktats that have been bending to the point of breaking for months under the weight of a generation that is freer than any one that came before. It's funny because I don't think of myself that way (as a style icon)... but bringing people together is the thing I'm most proud of," Harry Styles told the fashion magazine. Cheers to that!
Brand power
Harry Styles doesn't intend to slow down any time soon, on the contrary, as he moves seamlessly between the roles of influencer to musical artist and beauty line creator. The rumors that were circulating this summer were right.
The star this week presented Pleasing, his first line, which takes the form of a brand of clean, vegan cosmetics for everyone. From the colors chosen for the website to the campaign shots to the product themselves, everything has been thought out with inclusiveness top of mind.
Nail polish, serum, eye gel and lip oil, the first cosmetics proposed by the brand, are aimed at consumers of all genders, the goal being for everyone to find... their pleasure.
It marks one more step towards a desire to help make society more inclusive, one which brings people together more than it divides, and of which beauty and fashion are reflective symbols.
Beyond the notion of gender, it's about putting an end to a single representation of femininity or masculinity and offering all individuals the space they deserve to express themselves.
ETX Studio
Fri Nov 19 2021
Harry Styles has played a key role in making fashion less divisive and gendered over the past year. - REUTERS/Fiilepic
Pesara tentera diminta kemaskini data di JHEV
Jelas Adly setakat ini lebih 213 ribu veteran berdaftar dengan jabatan tersebut, berbanding sekitar 300,000 yang telah bersara dalam perkhidmatan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (27 April 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Tumpuan Ahad - 28 April 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
AWANI Ringkas: UM mohon maaf kepada rakyat Malaysia
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Jangan sentuh isu 3R sepanjang kempen PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu
Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (MCMC) diminta untuk meningkatkan pemantauan bagi mengesan sebarang hantaran yang menyalahi undang-undang.
Ulang tahun TLDM dirai nada berbeza, jangan lupa mereka yang tiada
Warga TLDM diharapkan terus cekal, tabah demi rakyat dan tanah air, walaupun berhadapan pelbagai rintangan dan cabaran.
Lelaki warga Myanmar maut dalam pergaduhan
Seorang lelaki ditemui dalam keadaan tidak sedarkan diri dan berlumuran darah dipercayai ditikam dan dipukul pada bahagian kepala.
Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik UM mohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia
Dalam satu kenyataan pada Sabtu, jabatan itu menegaskan pihaknya kesal dan memandang serius terhadap perkara itu.
AWANI 7:45 [27/04/2024] - Siasatan sama ada Tun M salah guna kuasa | Jangkaan persaingan sengit | FFC umum tangguh misi | Mesyuarat khas dua hari
#AWANI745 malam ini bersama Dzulfitri Yusof;
1. Mokhzani dan Mirzan nafi disiasat SPRM
2. Pertandingan empat penjuru, PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu
3. Freedom Flotilla To Gaza ditangguh, delegasi dunia pulang
4. Mesyuarat Khas WEF berlangsung di Arab Saudi, ketika suhu geopolitik semakin panas
1. Mokhzani dan Mirzan nafi disiasat SPRM
2. Pertandingan empat penjuru, PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu
3. Freedom Flotilla To Gaza ditangguh, delegasi dunia pulang
4. Mesyuarat Khas WEF berlangsung di Arab Saudi, ketika suhu geopolitik semakin panas
Piala Thomas: Jangan pandang mudah Malaysia - Antonsen
Walaupun Malaysia membariskan skuad perseorangan kurang 'menyengat', Anders Antonsen masih menjangkakan saingan sengit.
Anugerah Grammy 2023: Harry Styles rangkul Album Terbaik menerusi 'Harry's House'
Styles berjaya mengetepikan saingan daripada kumpulan ABBA ( Voyage), penyanyi Adele (30), Coldplay (Music of the Spheres), dan Lizzo (Special).
Beyonce pecah rekod menang anugerah Grammy paling banyak
Beliau juga merupakan artis yang menerima pencalonan paling banyak pada Anugerah Grammy ke-65, dengan sembilan pencalonan.
Harry Styles, Sam Smith gamatkan pentas Anugerah Grammy 2023 esok
Harry Styles merupakan salah satu nama yang diumumkan lebih awal untuk membuat persembahan di Anugerah Grammy 2023.
Hubungan Harry Styles dan Olivia Wilde berakhir
Pasangan itu mengambil keputusan untuk menamatkan hubungan mereka buat sementara waktu kerana mempunyai 'keutamaan berbeza'.
Harry Styles pecah rekod, As It Was kekal paling lama dalam carta Billboard Hot 100
Penyanyi kelahiran United Kingdom, Harry Styles berjaya memecah rekod selepas single As It Was menduduki tempat teratas carta Billboard Hot 100 paling lama.
Gelaran Raja Pop hanya milik Michael Jackson, tiada yang lain - Anak saudara
Keluarga dan penjaga hak Michael telah meletakkan tanda dagangan bagi frasa 'King Of Pop' atau Raja Pop.
Universiti tawar kursus berkaitan hasil karya Harry Styles
Kursus berkenaan akan memberi tumpuan kepada karya bintang pop itu, baik dalam muzik atau filem.
Ulang tahun ke-10, apa kejutan One Direction untuk peminat?
Pasti ramai yang tidak sabar menantikan kejutan daripada One Direction.
Harry Styles bakal pegang watak Prince Eric dalam The Little Mermaid?
Selepas Halle Bailey diumumkan bakal memengang watak Ariel menerusi Disney Live Action, peminat-peminat pasti teruja apabila Harry Styles juga dijangka akan membuat kemunculan dalam filem tersebut.
One Direction bakal kembali?
Berita baik ini disampaikan bekas anggota kumpulan dan penulis lirik, Liam Payne yang memberi bayangan itu dalam satu rakaman temu bual dengan 1D Metro Manila di Twitter.