Music & Muses

As a world-first exhibition opens up in London this month to honour singer and style icon Prince, Emirates Woman takes a look at the enduring relationship between music and fashion

- Maddison Glendinning

When the words music and fashion are bandied about, there is a person that immediately springs to mind. Renowned for his eclectic, eccentric style that refused to acknowledge boundaries, Prince was a true living icon across both music and fashion. So when news of his death came early last year, both communities mourned the loss of a legend that had contributed so much to their worlds. However, such was his impact that although Prince may physically be gone, his spirit, both musical and sartorial, will continue to inspire generations to come.

This month, an exhibition will premiere at London’s O2 arena that pays homage to the star – the first ever official exhibition to do so. Titled, My Name Is Prince, it will open to the public from October 27, giving visitors access to never seen-before pieces from Paisley Park, the singer’s famed private estate in Minnesota. The original plan for the exhibition was that it was to run for just 21 days, reflective of the record breaking, sold-out concert streak Prince played at the arena in 2007, however demand for the exhibition was so high, it has already been extended for another three weeks.

It’s unsurprising, given the decades that Prince spanned. It’s no small feat to capture the attention of audiences some 30 years apart in age, and yet Prince was admired by both millennials and baby boomers. As a result, the exhibition delivers pieces that appeal to the entire spectrum of fans, musical and otherwise. Amongst the many famous guitars the singer accessorised with over the years, the exhibition will also display several of Prince’s most famous stage costumes including clothing from his 1984-1985 Purple Rain tour, 1988-1989 Lovesexy tour, a diamond studded cane from his iconic V Magazine shoot in 2013, the cloud suit from 1985’s Raspberry Beret film clip and many other appearances.