Papa Petit: How Fashion creates the Image of an Artist

Michael Jackson will forever be a legend, an icon and idolized all over the world. He made us dream and love through his music. Apart from his songwriting and dancing, he had impeccable taste when it came to fashion and style. He wore everything effortlessly and with such edge. I remember growing up trying to mirror him. I wore white socks, suede loafers, gloves, leather jackets and pork pie hats to complete the look.

Those were lasting memories that I will cherish and share with future generations. Although at that time, I didn’t understand Michael’s music and lyrics, what captivated me about him was his flashy image and cool demeanor. In my later years as I got introduced to new facets of music and fashion and came to realize that music and fashion work concurrently in creating an image of an artist.

As a musician or an entertainer, it is essential to have a compelling image that is congruent with your music. Most musicians tend to ignore or underestimate the value of image and its importance, as it is a form of non verbal communication to your audience or fans. Being the best vocalist pianist or DJ alone will not guarantee you success in the entertainment industry, it’s about selling the total package that includes music, personality, style, how one carries oneself and visuals during a stage show; these elements must work together consistently. Image is about leaving a lasting visual impression on fans, something that they can find or relate to in your music.

A musician should be able to create their own unique look that will make them stand out and have icon sensibilities. The musician is a trend setter and someone who society looks up to as a role model if not for style inspiration. In the Kenyan music industry for instance the first group of artistes that come in my mind in terms of mastering the art of selling image is the brilliant afro pop band, Sauti Sol.

The super cool and soulful group mostly croons about love, relationships and embracing the African woman. This has resulted in them having a massive female following. They always look stylish in bespoke suits and dapper designer shoes. Women love men in suits because there is something empowering and attractive about it, and one can never go wrong when it comes to a suit.

Delvin Mudigi Savara, a producer and singer in the group views fashion and music as two elements that should complement each other. “Music and fashion are both expressions of our deep feelings and emotions. Audio plus visual can be compared to feel and touch. An artist’s look and feel combined by music goes a long way and sinks deep into their audience emotions. Music and fashion is like when you whisper sweet words to a woman’s ear as you gently caress her.”

Delvin Mudigi Savara looking stylish in a bespoke suit.

Carrey Rojney is a a Kenyan rock artiste and one of the people that I admire when it comes to style and whose image translates to his music believes that, “image is really crucial because entertainment is a business and no one wants to associate with a business that doesn’t have a nice visual appeal.”

Carrey Rojney, Rock artist

Although there are other things that contribute to the general image of an artiste, fashion and importantly style are the most important core elements and artists should strive to find a balance between their art and fashion style. The image of the musician should thus be important as the musical ability. As an entertainer how do you want people to perceive you? What message are you transmitting?

It can be argued that an artiste with a strong image is what separates commercially successful musicians from others.

Papa Petit is part of the brother and sister fashion stylist dynamo, ‘2ManySiblings’ that is sweeping the globe with their unique eye for the ultimate a la mode trends.