One of the highest forms of praise that can be given to a creative is a legacy of individuality. That’s one of the many things the revolutionary British artist David Hockney is being remembered for after his passing at the start of June. Hockney was most well known for his role in the 1960s Pop Art movement, with his vivid paintings of sun-drenched pools and double portraits, as well as his avant-garde experimentation with digital art and photography. What he’s less well known for was his style — specifically his individuality.
In a society where nuance and authenticity is so sought after yet seldom achieved, it is not only his style being celebrated but more so the way his dressing was so personal and true to himself. Alongside his striking blonde hair and iconic circular glasses, Hockney was known for wearing bright colours, reflecting his artwork in what he wore everyday. He was often seen in striking blue suits and shirts paired with large, colourful, patterned ties, and bright, leafy greens as he got older, preferring a relaxed and oversized look to a tailored one.
Hockney dressed in what he felt comfortable in, but also in what made him smile — he was authentic to himself. Nowadays everyone is hunting for authenticity, but it isn’t easy to find. Perhaps it’s more to do with Hockney’s ability to find and have his own personal style over the outfits themselves – as mesmerising as they were. People want to know how he did it and how they can do the same.
But has social media and the rise of micro-trend culture irradiated all possibility for people to dress in a way that is completely distinctive to them?
If a person is a collection of who they’ve known, where they’ve been, and what they want to be, then surely a personal style would be too. ‘Authentic’ style is actually a dress sense that has taken inspiration from things we like, and people we’re influenced by. Even Hockney’s ‘individuality’ was influenced by his artwork, which took inspiration from the likes of Picasso and Rembrandt, and alongside him Andy Warhol and William Hogarth. It is likely his fashion sense also drew from his close friendships with designers Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell.
So, if you’re striving for a sense of style specific to you, take inspiration from what’s around you. If it’s a style you like then it’s your style, regardless of who else is wearing it or where you took inspiration from. Individual style is more about not caring too much about the uniqueness of an outfit, and more that you dress for yourself rather than for others.
“David Hockney’s A Bigger Splash at Tate Britain” by Karen V Bryan is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
