Fashion and Music: An Interview with Francesca Piovano
Flipping through albums and magazines, we enter her world: a weave of sounds and fabrics, of artists and designers who, despite time, continue to inspire each other.
In an era where fashion and music chase each other between catwalks and stages, Francesca Piovano, fashion editor at Rolling Stone, opens the doors to a universe where style is not just image, but voice, identity, and rebellion. With the smile of someone who has seen glam, punk, and streetwear transform into iconic phenomena, Francesca shares her thoughts on trends that change in the blink of an eye, icons that endure, and musicians who, both yesterday and today, use their looks to send messages and break barriers.
It is clear that, for her, fashion and music are more than simple passions: they are a language, an invisible thread that intertwines her story with that of artists and creatives, and one that she is now ready to tell.
Fashion and Music: an unbreakable bond
"Once it was the singers who set trends and experimented with more freedom, now it is fashion that dictates the style rules in music." According to Piovano, this role reversal reflects the commercial evolution of fashion: more standardized and focused on numbers, less inclined to tell the true personality of the artist. "Often, fashion ends up overshadowing the character of the musician, preferring to tell its own story."
The impact of social media and the digital era has transformed the way fashion and music interact. "If fashion used to approach an artist for their art, now it’s mostly about followers," Piovano explains. Popularity on social media has become the new measure of artistic and stylistic relevance, making every collaboration a numbers game. However, she acknowledges how social media has amplified the influence of musicians on fashion: "Every day, new content has to be produced, and this pushes artists to experiment with new looks and styles, giving them more space to express their own style."
Artists and the cyclical nature of trends
Talking about icons that left an indelible mark, Francesca takes us back to moments when musicians defined lasting trends: from David Bowie's revolutionary glam to Kanye West's minimalist style. Today, however, trends seem fleeting, destined to last a few months before being forgotten. "There’s no time to become iconic like in the past," she observes, noting how everything today moves at a rapid pace.
The most memorable collaborations between fashion and music
Francesca has no doubts about the moments that made history. "Grace Jones and Azzedine Alaïa, Madonna with Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols... These were explosive encounters, where elegance, audacity, and rebellion fused." These collaborations were not just looks, but symbols of an era, of expressive and provocative freedom that today seems more blurred. "These icons knew how to communicate a unique message, bringing together seemingly distant worlds."
New trends and provocations for 2024
During Music Week, Francesca reveals some ideas for future outfits. "I’m working with an artist on a look with reverse denim," she says enthusiastically, hoping this style will catch on. Looking ahead to next year, Francesca predicts a return of British Core, boho chic, and what she calls granny style. "We’ll see Barbour-style jackets, pleated mini skirts, and Corto Maltese hats again, symbols that are resurfacing with a renewed flavor."
The Italian and international music scene
Reflecting on the artists who are pushing the boundaries of fashion today, Francesca notes that punk, glam rock, and grunge are still present, although streetwear dominates. Among the artists experimenting with style, she names ARCA and Charli XCX, and on the Italian front, Måneskin, who are bringing back a new glam rock style. But her admiration also extends to international names like Tyler, The Creator and Rosalía, artists capable of capturing the spirit of contemporary music.
The return of the '90s and the Oasis effect
The potential return of Oasis has created "FOMO" (fear of missing out) among fans, according to Francesca, who believes it could bring britpop and '90s looks back into style. "The nostalgia of the '90s has already set the stage," she says, predicting a return of outfits like tracksuits, sneakers, and Barracuta jackets. A combination of classic and urban style that continues to captivate.
Reflections on personal style and music
When asked about her own style, Francesca defines it as "simple" but with a distinctive touch. "I love jeans, important jackets, and white shoes," she says, although many perceive her as "unique." She adds that her way of dressing is often influenced by her musical tastes, particularly dream pop and indie, though she enjoys varying it based on her mood and the day’s commitments.
The allure of grunge and the masters of photography
For Francesca, grunge was much more than a style: "It was a way of rebelling, a reaction to the excesses of the '80s." And for people like Marc Jacobs who made it a reference point, grunge continues to influence contemporary fashion. Finally, among the photographers she admires most and dreams of working with, she mentions iconic names like Juergen Teller, Ryan McGinley, and Hedi Slimane, whose ability to capture the essence of fashion resonates deeply with her imagination.
