REBEL WITH A CAUSE

A new Bob Dylan biopic has trained the spotlight on his unlikely influence on fashion, inspiring some introspection into one's own approach to style

- ANANDHI GOPINATH

AS A CHILD OF THE '80S AND '90S, my fashion influences-aside from maternal figures in my life were shaped by the artists I saw in music videos. But for reasons I can't quite explain, my mood board was an eclectic mix of styles that veered away from the boy bands dominating my generation's attention. Instead, I gravitated toward icons from the '70s and '80s, whose styles felt more expressive and timeless to me.

Take Cyndi Lauper, for instance-her music captivated me, and I'm still drawn to the idea of wild colours in my hair. Wham!, with their oversized jackets and carefree charm, will forever hold a special place in my heart. As I grew older and gravitated towards rock music, I was captivated by the grungy, no-nonsense allure of jeans and boots. Led Zeppelin's satin shirts and bootleg jeans were staples of my teenage wardrobe, and I'm grateful my parents let me experiment. During those years, when bullying was a constant, chunky jewellery and ripped pants became my armour.

If I had to choose the two musicians who most influenced my style, they would be Malaysian rock goddess Ella-with her flowing hair, bold kohl, and effortless white-shirt-blue-jeans combination-and Lenny Kravitz, whose tattoos, piercings (I have both), and punk-rock edge embodied fearless self-expression. From my musical icons, I learned to cultivate an independent sense of style. That spirit (if not the exact wardrobe) still defines me. At 45, I consider myself impervious to trends-not least because I lack the patience or inclination to follow them-leaning instead on my enduring love for a retro rock-chick aesthetic.

The fashion inspired by music legends of the past has come into focus more than ever recently with the release of the Bob Dylan biopic