“The word inspirational doesn’t quite cover Madonna as
person, or as a performer. She’s created memorable music, shaped fashion, and
made pop culture very much what it is today. She is inimitable and unique.”
James Harknett, Fake Bake Global Creative Consultant
In 2018, we talk a lot
about influencers. Some people truly are. Others are just people flogging
toothpaste. But whether you are aware of it, or not, a lot of what you enjoy
today as a modern young woman traces back to just one true influencer: Madonna
Louise Ciccione, who is about to turn 60. 60? It’s hard to believe that a
scrappy kid from Michigan, who didn’t win a talent show but grafted, in the old
school sense, for everything she has since earned is about to qualify for a bus
pass. Well, she would if she still lived in the UK, but you get what we are
saying.
It’s hard to really
describe in a single Blog post her influence on music, fashion, beauty and
culture. She has been an original chameleon, and no matter how famous
she has become, especially in her earlier days, she had the midas touch when it
came to what was happening on the streets, and in clubs, and amongst the
hippest of kids who don’t like their credentials to become mass marketed. Madonna
was able to do so with ease, and without losing their respect. Her earliest
looks were as cheap as chips for her young fans to copy, as it was just basic
dance wear, ripped up and deconstructed. One thing did make her standout though
quite earlier on. Despite her Italian heritage, she never really bothered with
a deep 80’s suntan, and although over the years has tended to stay pale, she’s
skirmished with a golden skin finish on many occasions. We know this
because a few members of Team Fake Bake are Madonna obsessives.
We have been since one of us actually wore one of these belts.
By the time 1990 came
around, Madonna had ditched that high street ensemble, got supremely fit
and started wearing couture. Jean Paul Gaultier was a favourite, and it
was a look that spawned copies the world over during her Blonde Ambition
phase. The music was ever-changing but her influence on young women everywhere
was on the march. Before the Spice Girls were even formed, she didn’t talk
about Girl Power. She simply was Girl Power. She taught girls everywhere that
they didn’t have to be shy, timid, pretty little princesses to succeed in life.
She talked the talk and she walked the walk, and she smashed her heels through
any glass ceiling put above her.
Whilst the supermodels
were still holding court in terms of magazine coverage she formed a
relationship with Gianni Versace that was a global success. Her likeness
to Donatella was clear for everyone to see, and to this day, it’s a
label she still wears with pride. She champions young designers and established
names. And of course, she loves an Italian label, Dolce and Gabbana also
being a favourite, but she’s also a huge fan of British fashion, especially Stella
McCartney.
Perhaps her most
esteemed recording as a musician is Ray of Light, which celebrates
twenty years as an album this year, and it gave her a softer image that is
still copied today. You want to know where those beach waves come from you love
to sport? Look no further. And that glossy, golden finished skin is
still a winner. From Frozen to Substitute for Love, it’s a collection of
songs that still chime with us. Take a bow, William Orbit.
We’re not going to say
she’s been picture perfect all the time, because like all of us, she’s worn a
few questionable outfits and said quite a few provocative things. She was
brilliant playing Eva Peron in the film version of Evita but Swept
Away, made with her then husband, Guy Ritchie, is not a classic.
However, we did get to see Madonna with a fully fledged tan, so
in that way, it’s totally fine with us.
We all want to wish Madonna
a brilliantly Happy 60th Birthday. She has thrilled us, entertained
us, styled us, shocked us and more importantly, is always talking about our
power as women straight from the heart, not forgetting her army of devoted male
fans, either. She has given us the very best in terms of pop, and that’s what
we celebrate her most for. You can’t argue with a back catalogue that includes Holiday,
Express Yourself and Hung Up, to name three out of so many hits, we’d be
here all year if we had to pick more.
And we want to say a huge
thank you for being unconventional, experimental, ambitious and flying in
the face of everyone who has not believed in her or criticised her in any way.
She’s just kept working, kept creating, and kept being completely unique in a
world where no one has come to close to her achievements.
If you are reading
this, though, we have a little request. Any chance of you playing Glastonbury
2019? It’ll be the show of the century, and one where girls, their mums and
their grandmas can throw out Like A Virgin like there is no tomorrow.
Three generations of strong, opinionated women can’t be wrong. Trust us on that
one. You taught us well.
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