The icon is trending on the ten-year anniversary of his death – here’s how to celebrate his remarkable life …
It’s been ten years since David Bowie – the so-called “Picasso of Pop” – died at his home in New York. One of the greatest innovators of his time, his influence goes beyond music which he changed forever with his avant-garde alter ego Ziggy Stardust. Bowie’s impact continues to reverberate on design, culture and fashion: a pioneer of androgyny influencing designers like Alexander McQueen and Hedi Slimane.
Bowie Books
Like many legends, interest in Bowie has only increased since his death. This year has seen no fewer than seven new books published on aspects of his life, from his musical and technical wizardry (see Sefi Carmel’s David Bowie: The Artist, The Albums, The Music) to an exploration of the philosophical and symbolic themes in his work (David Bowie and the Search for Life, Death and God by Peter Ormerod).
An illustrated book traces Bowie’s personas from Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke (Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie by Cordell). There’s even an entry level biography for children exploring the Starman’s life (Little People, Big Dreams: David Bowie) and a more niche biography focusing on the Tin Machine era until his death. (Lazarus: The Second Coming of David Bowie by Alexander Larman). One for the coffee table is Collaboration: Frank Ockenfels 3 X David Bowie, a photographic record of a lifelong friendship between the Los Angeles-based photographer Frank Ockenfels and Bowie, who he snapped from his early glam rock day to his later, more introspective phase.
Bowie Celebrations In Ireland
Don’t miss Dublin’s Bowie Festival from February 24. The headline event at Whelan’s is an intimate concert with Bowie’s key alumni – pianist Mike Garson, guitarist Earl Slick and producer Mark Plati – who will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bowie’s album Station To Station and other hits.
“Bowie Unframed” is on at Rathfarnham Castle in Dublin; an exhibition that features a collection of candid images by French photographer Philippe Auliac, renowned for his close working relationship with the star.
An Immersive Experience In London
Fans will also know that the David Bowie Centre has opened at London’s new V&A East Storehouse which houses his official archive of over 500 items, from musical instruments and lyrics to handwritten notes. Overhead hang 20 of his most iconic pieces and costumes in special storage bags, from Freddie Burretti’s Ziggy Stardust looks to Agnes b’s Heathen ensembles, and Bowie’s 1992 Thierry Mugler wedding suit. Visitors can book one-on-one time with their selections from the 90,000+ items in Bowie’s entire archive through the interesting Order an Object service and via appointments with the V&A Archives team. The most popular item? A frockcoat designed by Alexander McQueen for Bowie’s 50th Birthday Concert in 1997.
Bowie Afternoon Tea
If in London, a fitting finale for any fan is a visit to the posh Hotel Café Royal where Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust – he hosted a Last Supper party there in 1973 after his final performance at the Hammersmith Odeon – with photos from the event including Bowie celebrating with Mick Jagger, Lou Reed and Ringo Starr. The distinctive afternoon tea in his honour (£85stg) is served in the Café Royal Grill until March 29 with a menu that nods to his many eras, including sandwiches named Thin White Duke, A Study of Spice and The Berlin Years, and sweet treats named variously as The Green Suit – a pistachio sponge and a Midnight Orange chocolate éclair. Famously, Bowie was partial to Japanese green tea which accompanies the delicacies, as well as gin martinis which was another favourite tipple.
Sharp Suiting
To recreate the embellished suit seen at the special afternoon tea, check out the interesting PHIX x David Bowie collection which includes gold sequin star shirts and a rhinestone Bolt blazer. I covet one of Bella Freud’s suits inspired by Bowie, who was a major influence on her “boyish” aesthetic as mentioned on her popular Fashion Nuerosis podcast.
