Styles' Evolution
In a few short years, Harry Styles has reinvented himself from teenage heartthrob to the epitome of a modern rock star. As a face of Gucci Menswear, the star has been spotted in pastel suits, flared trousers and an array of headscarves enviable to even Keith Richards.
The evolution to his colorful, exaggerated style is the perfect compliment to this year’s Met Gala theme of “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” which he will co-host with Lady Gaga on May 6th, 2019.
Styles began his career as a member of the boy band One Direction and immediately drew focus from teenagers everywhere. His wild curls and playful dimples, as well as unique voice, made him an overnight sensation. Being arguably the most fashion-forward member of the band, this showed less obviously, with subtle styling hints such as popped collars and thin scarves worn with wide neck t-shirts. The old looks are a far cry from the jacquard and bright floral outfits that he wears today.
It wasn’t until Styles launched his solo career in April 2017 that we got to see the full effect of his fashion-forward sensibility. The promotional tours for the release of his single, “Sign of the Times,” as well as his role in the film, Dunkirk, meant that he was seen in Gucci-heavy looks more than once that year.
Styles continues to push boundaries further as time passes with art nouveau inspired looks from Gucci. More often than not, they are masterfully tailored to his perfectly undone hair and tattooed physique. Styles has developed a truly unique personal style with attention to detail that includes black nail polish, a single cross earring and heavy rings, especially noticeable as they rest on his microphone.
Perhaps his most notable fashion moments have come with his music. One look at his Instagram shows perfectly curated tour outfits to swoon over, from neon pink sunnies to a chic plaid suit. These exaggerated tour outfits came as no surprise after the music video for his song, “Kiwi." The video showed a decadent playfulness from the clothing and cast to all of the cake throwing in between.
All of these style choices and Styles’ star quality are perfect reasons for Anna Wintour of American Vogue, to choose him to co-host the Met Gala with the established icon, Lady Gaga.
The gala benefits the Met’s Costume Institute and its Spring 2019 exhibition, themed “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” Andrew Bolton, Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, told Vogue he has framed the theme around Susan Sontag’s seminal 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp.'"
The exhibition is being sponsored by Gucci, Styles’s brand of choice. Alessandro Michele creative director told Hamish Bowles, that Sontag’s essay “perfectly expresses what camp truly means to me: the unique ability to combine high art and pop culture.” In “Notes on Camp,” Sontag herself states that Camp is, “a vision of the world in terms of style - but a particular kind of style." It is the love of the exaggerated” , she writes. This perfectly sums up Styles’ most recent aesthetic, from his music videos to his off-duty fashion choices.
All of Style’s fashion choices until now make one wonder, what will he appear in on May 6th?
