New York Fashion Week began on Friday, September 9, and wraps up on September 14. Models are not always the only ones ready to strut down the runway sporting meticulously designed outfits by high-profile designers. We look up to many celebrities and musicians for fashion inspiration. Some have had ICONIC moments in fashion. You may have also heard of artists performing at fashion shows, but did you know that some of your favorite musicians have even rocked the runway? We look at some artists who have walked the runway –
Jennifer Lopez
Everyone remembers J.Lo’s Versace dress at the 2000 Grammy awards, right? 20 years later, it did somewhat make a comeback with a reimagined version of the plunging gown at the 2020 Milan Fashion Week. Jennifer Lopez rocked the gown on the runway at Versace’s Spring 2020 show. The ‘Ain’t Your Mama’ singer made her runway debut when she closed the show in a surprising move that received a standing ovation from the audience.
This gown is also responsible for inspiring Google’s Google Image Search due to the sudden increase in searches of images of J. Lo and Versace after she wore it at the 2000 Grammy Awards ceremony. When Vanity Fair asked the singer what it was like wearing the Versace dress, she explained: “The first time I wore it, I actually didn’t have another dress. Usually, I have choices. It was a last-minute thing that caused a sensation that was unexpected.”
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“The second time was very planned-out. It started at the Met ball; Donatella said, ‘You know, this year is the 20th anniversary of the jungle dress,’ and I said no, I didn’t,” the star began illustrating the moment that led up to the show-stopping walk on the Milan Fashion Week runway at Versace’s Spring 2020 show. “And she goes, ‘I think I’m going to do a whole show about it. Would you come?’ And I said, ‘Of course. Just call me.’ You know, it’s all timing—schedules and stuff.”
“And then she wound up calling and said, ‘I want you to walk at the end, and I want you to come out in the dress.’ ‘The same dress?’ ‘The same dress. We’ll make a new one for you,’” she added.
“The second time I wore it and walked out there, it was such an empowering thing. Twenty years had gone by, and I think for women, knowing you can put on a dress 20 years later—it resonated. It was like, ‘Yes, you know, life is not over at 20!'”
Desiigner
American rapper Desiigner made his New York Fashion Week debut in 2017. He walked on the runway of the Philipp Plein show. This show also saw a performance by Nas. The ‘Panda’ rapper Sidney Royel Selby III, who is known by his stage name, went shirtless for the show. He wore a fur coat instead. In a denim ensemble, the rapper, who dropped his latest single ‘Jaguar’ last month, grinned for the camera.
Dua Lipa
The Grammy award-winning artist Dua Lipa was the face of Versace’s fall/winter 2021 campaign. It was fitting that the star walked the runway for the brand, and so she did! The ‘Levitating’ hitmaker strutted down Versace’s Spring/Summer 2022 runway show at Milan Fashion Week last year. She opened the show in a black skirt suit. Her look featured black platform sandals, cutouts on her suit, and Versace’s signature safety pins that held the piece together.
The star shared the runway with models like Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell, Irina Shayk, and Emily Ratajkowski and also closed the show dazzling in a two-piece featuring a hot pink top, a skirt with a thigh-high slit, and safety pins. The show was soundtracked by the singer’s latest album ‘Future Nostalgia’ featuring hits like ‘Don’t Start Now’ and ‘Levitating’.
Beyoncé
The ‘Break My Soul’ singer has been the face of luxury brands like Tiffany & Co. and has collaborated with big names in fashion for major projects like “Ivy Park x Adidas.” Beyoncé has had impeccable fashion moments, but she walked the ‘Fashion for Relief’ runway for charity. The show was held in 2005, wherein Queen Bey stunned in a black dress. The proceeds from this show went to Hurricane Katrina victims.
Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes walked for Emporio Armani Men’s Spring/Summer 2018 fashion show in Milan. The ‘Wonder’ singer donned a black ensemble. He completed the look with a black watch, which matched his head-to-toe attire, and a large red floral detail on the Canadian star’s shirt stood out. The Grammy-nominated singer was also announced as the face of Armani’s smartwatch collection in 2017, and Mendes wore a watch from the collection on the runway. Apart from walking on the runway, he has also performed on one in 2018. The singer took Victoria’s Secret fashion show catwalk to perform his hit song ‘Lost In Japan’.
Rihanna
With jaw-dropping fashion moments such as the shimmering Swarovski crystal-encrusted dress from 2014, 2015’s yellow MET Gala gown, oversized suit, coat; leather suit, denim ensemble, sheer tulle Dior dress, and MANY many more, Rihanna is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in fashion. She has walked at her Fenty x Puma show at Fall 2016 NYFK, 2017’s Fenty x Puma runway show at Paris Fashion Week, and Savage x Fenty fashion show runway at NYFK in 2018, but she has been making heads turn on runways since she was 19! Riri’s hit song ‘Shut Up and Drive’ was soundtracked for her runway debut in 2007 for Dsquared2. She has also performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2012.
Lady Gaga
Apart from performing at the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Gaga has also strutted down a catwalk! The ‘Applause’ singer rocked the Marc Jacobs NYFW runway in 2016 alongside models like Kendall Jenner. The Oscar winner made her runway debut in 2011 at Paris Fashion Week. She strutted down the runway for Mugler’s Autumn/Winter collection.
