British singer Amy Winehouse is no more. The 27-year-old was found dead in her London flat at the early hours of Saturday, July 23. Known for tracks like Rehab, Back to Black and Valerie, Winehouse was notorious for her risque ways and life rather than her music. But she did turn ears and heads with her smoky, raspy voice, beehive of a hairdo and heavily lined sloe-eyed look. MiD DAY spoke to leading stylists and designers to find out why the troubled singer will always remai
British singer Amy Winehouse is no more. The 27-year-old was found dead in her London flat at the early hours of Saturday, July 23. Known for tracks like Rehab, Back to Black and Valerie, Winehouse was notorious for her risque ways and life rather than her music. But she did turn ears and heads with her smoky, raspy voice, beehive of a hairdo and heavily lined sloe-eyed look. MiD DAY spoke to leading stylists and designers to find out why the troubled singer will always remain a style icon for them.
Flower Grown Wild. That was Amy Winehouse to many. And also to Bryan Adams, who wrote that song in a bid to salvage Wino, as she was popularly known, from the deep, dark, bottomless pit of depression. The death of the British singer marks the end of an era. And not just in music, but also in fashion. Despite her bad skin, which Amy wanted to fix with a urine treatment and a rather unimpressive 5'2" stature, Amy, was born a head turner. Much of that, of course, had to do with her wardrobe choice and her beehive hairstyle coupled with the winged eye look that was essentially Amy.
We'll probably never have another wild child in her cropped tank top, a messy bouffant,u00a0 bare her tattooed abs and run across the fields, lost in a rhythm. Ace hair stylist Sapna Bhavnani, whose Facebook status message on Sunday read, 'Will miss you Amy. You're one of the special ones', is shattered. Bhavnani has been an ardent fan of the British singer and has her song Back to Black playing in her Mumbai salon all the time.
Did women come to her before a party with requests of emulating the Winehouse bouffant? "In India, people don't take that many chances when it comes to styling. Young people come only to get a haircut. But I think her beehive has become iconic. She has wiped out decades and brought it back. All my mom's photos from the past show her with a beehive and winged eyes. I think people who have the guts to wear or look like the way they want to should be encouraged. Even her videos are very retro," she says.
Like Amy, Sapna has elaborate tattoos on her arms and says, "People judge you based on your appearance. For me, there are no limits on how I want to present myself. Amy was a rebel as well. But inside all of that, she was actually someone who was crying out for help. We only look at the sex, drugs and the rock and roll persona. But how many stars come out and tell you how stardom destroyed their lives? You can have a mansion, but might not have a place to call home. Amy was hugely talented and reached where she did only for that and not through good PR."
Welsh designer Julian MacDonald would agree. Julian picked Amy as his show stopper for his London Fashion Week show and had said about the troubled singer, 'She's an amazing talent, isn't she?'.
But Amy wasn't just another stylista bordering on the outrageous and trying to garner eyeballs with her radical sense of style. She was also a designer, who had collaborated with noted designer Fred Perry, a designer she wore very often, to bring out a clothing line.
Stylist Edward Lalrempuia will always remember Amy for her ballet slippers and trademark hair. "Amy's look is a big hit in the Halloween costume parties. People imitate her in those parties. Her little dresses, small blouses and skinny jeans made her look like a true rock star. She even made a pretty dress look rock chic. But I am a bigger fan of her music than her wardrobe," maintains Edward.
Amy's bouffant always got its share of attention. And why not? After all, how many beehives come embellished with little paper umbrellas or even a plastic heart that has Blake (Amy's husband's name) written on it? And the deep crimson flowers on her bouffant made for a passionate picture. If only she had the same passion for life. Amy wasn't hugely into accessories. She didn't need to, really. Her famous big hair that was once in the news for catching fire kept her hands full.
And yes, there were the tattoos. While most were of naked women, there was one of a flap pocket on her left breast. Designer Falguni Peacock, who has shown many a rock chic styles on the ramp feels whatever Amy wore was an expression of herself. "She was bold and didn't bother about what others had to say. She let out all that was inside her through quirky clothes.
Her leopard printed jackets, fishnet tank tops with a bra inside, her famous yellow short dress which she accessorised with a red bag can never be forgotten. Her sense of style was edgy yet simple. She made trends, rather than following them," says Falguini. The queen of vintage chic has crossed over to the other side. And suddenly, the other side seems like a place where the music is better.
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