The loss of David Bowie in January reminded the fashion world just how important his influence had been. Four decades of defying the ordinary, blurring reality and fiction while toying with the avant-garde, have raised Bowie onto a fashion pedestal, adored by women and admired by men. From the 70s glam rock queen to the refined gentleman in the Louis Vuitton campaign, Bowie’s bisexual persona never failed to simultaneously stir controversy and awe.

ANYA HINDMARCH

At London Fashion Week 2015, the playfulness of the v-pattern tessellation by Anya Hindmarch in her SS16 collection, was impossible not to be seen through Bowietinted glasses: high street meets high end..

Unsurprisingly, designers and musicians alike have paid tribute to Bowie and will no doubt continue to do so for some time. A Vogue cover in 2011 transformed Kate Moss, a friend and a fan, into a young Bowie image. 2013 was a big Bowie year in fashion, not only because of his L’Invitation Au Voyage film promoting the Louis Vuitton Tambour timepiece, but also because Jean Paul Gaultier brought back Ziggy Stardust in his Spring Summer 2013 collection, redesigning the famous oneleg jumpsuit worn by Bowie in the 70s.

THE BOWIE LEGACY, GENDERLESS STYLE

More recently, at the 2016 Brit Awards, Kate Moss collected Bowie’s award on his behalf wearing the iconic Ziggy Stardust playsuit from his famous 1972 concert. Without Bowie there would be no Lady Gaga as we know her, and she has paid tribute to his iconic imagery many a time.

STEPHEN WEBSTER

Lady Stardust bracelet and Lady Stardust deco earrings

In high jewellery, the Lady Stardust collection by Stephen Webster encapsulates the Bowie appeal. Featuring geometric v-shaped patterns accentuated by white and black diamonds and brightly coloured sapphires, the Lady Stardust bracelet and earrings are edgy enough for a rock star yet glamorous enough for an art deco madame. So is the Jewelry Chevron 30mm timepiece from the Louis Vuitton Tambour Bijou collection.

Bowie’s legacy is by no means over, but it is safe to say that forty years later fashion trends have caught up with Bowie’s vision of genderless sophistication, especially in timepieces.

LOUIS VUITTON

Jewelry Chevron 30mm
Under the artistic direction of Nicolas Ghesquière, the V became a leitmotif of the Louis Vuitton Summer 2015 ready-to-wear collection. Transposed into watchmaking, it becomes a hand-painted chevron on the dial, made at the La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton workshops in Geneva. It is available in a two-tone version in red and white, or a black and white version. Kinetic miniatures measuring 30mm braided with a diamond bezel combine with a lizard strap in the matching colour. Each model is produced in a limited edition of 8 numbered pieces.