Glastonbury
Glastonbury has always been the stage for the greatest icons of performing arts, both on the pyramid stage and in the parterre. As one of the greatest festivals in the world, Glastonbury represents freedom and an alternative lifestyle. It has been a manifesto of historical eras and trends, not only through music but also through fashion.
Kate Moss at Glastonbury Festival via British Vogue. Getty Images.
The most famous stage in England has hosted legendary artists like David Bowie, Oasis, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, The Smiths, and Radiohead, just to name a few. The list of iconic performances would be too powerful to enumerate completely.
The greatest punk-rock artists have performed in their most exclusive outfits, influenced by new fashion trends and incorporating these styles into their artistic branding. In the latest edition of 2024, held from June 26th until June 30th, we saw Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA. Each of these artists, whose work spans the genres of electro-pop and R&B, wore distinctive outfits: Dua Lipa in fishnet stockings and lace grunge tops, Coldplay in oversized black jackets adorned with rainbow brooches, and SZA in jungle-themed, colorful dresses reminiscent of wild roots. These styles are greatly inspired by contemporary fashion, which is experiencing a comeback of '90s grunge style and is mixing rebellious elements of rock, like buckles, leather, and studs, with the kindred spirits of materials and shapes of hippie clothing, reflecting women's aesthetic.
“Gorpcore” is an aesthetic that flourishes at festivals like Glastonbury, where clothes must meet the requirements for ticket entry: vibe, adaptability, and personality. This is why high-end brands, such as Dr. Martens, have adorned stars like the punk rock icon Kate Moss, who walks the festival grounds almost every year. As the famous quote goes, “she’s a rockstar trapped in a model's body.”
Reflecting on the last 20 years, one of the most revolutionary and influential outfits was the black and white three-piece suit worn by Patti Smith in 2015, a time when female artists were not as expressive in their masculine energy as they are today. Equally iconic were Janelle Monáe, who in 2019 defended the LGBTQ community through her geometric patterned suit and tie, and Lady Gaga in 2017 with her iridescent and geometric dresses and haircuts, crowning her as the “Mother” of DRAG queen expression.
Among male performances, we remember the iconic raincoats paired with John Lennon glasses worn by Liam Gallagher, representing British street style culture, and Stormzy’s 2019 set that went down in history with his Banksy-designed Union Jack stab-proof vest, demonstrating that politics and culture are inseparable from music and the arts. Through their artistry, performers at Glastonbury touch the hearts of attendees, raising awareness and empowering rights and expression. This has been the essence of Glastonbury, in the light June wind of Worthy Farm, Somerset, since 1970.
