2021 Albums as Iconic 90s Fashion Moments
2021 served as an inspiring year in the music industry with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Dijon releasing their debut albums, and ABBA and Adele showcasing their huge returns into music with Adele’s new album ‘30’, and ABBA’s latest album ‘Voyage’. As much as 2021 was fervent with new music from various different artists, the 90s were a breakthrough decade for fashion, from designer to street style, everything was evolving and shifting. To reminisce on the past year and appreciate all that the 90s gave us, these are six 2021 albums as iconic 90s fashion moments.
After her release of ‘Driver’s License’, Olivia Rodrigo experienced a surge of popularity as the single gained extreme admiration, breaking the record for the fastest song to reach 100 million Spotify streams. In May, her debut album ‘SOUR’ came out and the praise and interest in her music kept on flowing in. With heart-breaking lyrics and exciting 2000s-rock beats, her music gave us music to cry to as well as sing at the top of our lungs. Iconic duo, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, were pictured leaving a London Fashion Week event in 1991 wearing outfits similar to Olivia Rodrigo’s personal style. Having a major role in the production and writing of her album, Olivia inserts much of her unique creativity into her songs as much as her fashion choices. The model duo took the 90s fashion world by a storm as Olivia is currently shattering Gen Z with her music.
Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell at London Fashion Week 1991
The much anticipated sixth studio album by Tyler, the Creator is an unforgettable one. Released in June, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ highlights introspection and nostalgia. In a Rolling Stones article, it says “[Tyler’s] production remains as lush and dynamic as the greats... [he has an] increased ability to not only bring other artists into his world, but build worlds around basically anyone”, referring to his numerous collaborations on the album (1). As Tyler, The Creator often blurs boundaries between sexes and identity, Kurt Cobain had revolutionized the culture behind male fashion in the 80s and 90s. Setting the millennial idea of androgyny in fashion, Kurt Cobain consistently pulled from traditional male and female closets to put together looks. Making a name for himself in the fashion world, Tyler, The Creator is in the same class as Cobain; Tyler loads his eccentric and unconventional personal style into his music, as heard in ‘Call Me If You Get Lost.’
Kurt Cobain in 1993, photographed by Jesse Frohman
‘Happier Than Ever’ was a product of musical and personal evolution to showcase Billie’s inner self and highlight exactly what she wanted to say. Gentle with a purpose but powerful in value is naturally the aura this album gives off. After the public witnessed Billie’s individual stylistic growth into her feminine energy, such as her 2021 Oscar de la Renta Met look and her June cover shoot, her July album release was a dynamic and inspiring impression on the world of fashion and music. Jada Pinkett Smith at the 1997 Grammys wore a minty chainmail set by Versace. Showing off her power and beauty, this iconic look aligns with the strength and individual femininity associated with Billie’s ‘Happier Than Ever’.
Jada Pinkett Smith in 1990 wearing a green Versace shimmery set
After multiple ambiguous release dates and an indefinite stay at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, ‘Donda’ officially dropped in late August. With the cover art being a black square, all the creative structure and vision were in the music. With almost every song having a feature, ‘Donda’ is a wide-spread album involving The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Lil Yachty, and many more. From one of the first albums to showcase the intricate conflicts in his marriage to Kim Kardashian, Kanye’s ‘Donda’ boasts a variety of tempos and moods. Kanye has seemingly created yet another momentous studio album from songs like ‘Off The Grid’ to ‘Moon .’ Claimed in the ‘godmother of 90s grunge’, Winona Ryder popularized the all-black ensemble and pop-goth movement. Wearing black tights, a black dress, and a leather jacket at the 1992 Night on Earth movie premiere, the simple look enveloped Winona’s style and impact on women’s fashion and expression at the time. Donda reveals intimate sharings of his life and his perspective protected by the blank cover art. Those who listen get to hear Kanye’s thoughts and feelings, while those who just view the album don’t receive the pleasure of the music.
Winona Ryder at the 1992 Night on Earth movie premiere
You can’t mention ‘Donda’ without talking about ‘Certified Lover Boy,’ considering they were released within less than a week of each other. Drake’s cover art had started the initial CLB wave, and the album encompasses the nature of rap and R&B-leaning songs. Highlighting his hometown, the city of Toronto, with ‘7 am On Bridle Path’ and sampling Right Said Fred’s 1991 hit ‘I’m Too Sexy’ in his song ‘Way 2 Sexy’, Drake continues to show how he can work his style in CLB. Denzel Washington, the ultimate 90s ‘cool guy’ when it comes to fashion. Said always to be ‘ahead of the game,’ Denzel was huge in show business in the 90s. As ‘airport attire’ has become a whole sub-genre of fashion, Denzel was a VIP in all aspects of his persona. Being a household name in Toronto and much of Canada and the US, Drake is highly involved in fashion with his brand, October’s Very Own (OVO). Giving off impressive style and appeal, CLB is the ultimate ‘cool’ album by the Toronto artist.
Denzel Washington in 1993 exiting LAX
‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ feels like an early Christmas present from Taylor. Nostalgic of her initial red album from 2012, Taylor’s Version boasts her original 20 songs plus an extra 10 songs, featuring Phoebe Bridgers, Chris Stapleton, and Ed Sheeran. ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)’ is in the foreground of an epic re-recording; with new lyrics and nuances, this song dives deeper into Taylor’s thoughts and feelings as they differed from when she had initially written the song in 2012. In addition to her list of re-recordings, ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ is a treat to anyone who had listened to her original album when they were younger. When Cindy Crawford pulled up at the 1991 Oscars wearing a timeless Versace red gown, the fashion community appreciated it as era-less. As she completely outshined her male counterpart, Richard Gere (her husband at the time), ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ highlights feminism and her perspective in life experiences rather than the male’s point of view.
Cindy Crawford wearing Versace at the 1991 Oscars
Music and fashion have been interconnected throughout many generations, often associating a certain clothing style with a genre of music. However, in 2021, the bounds of the music and style union have been evolving and growing so that any style can reflect any genre of music. We look to musical artists for style and artistic inspiration, and they look at us and our world for their expressiveness.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/tyler-the-creator-call-me-if-you-get-lost-1191488/