In 1986, Britney Spears was just a five-year-old girl (not yet a woman, and definitely not yet a pop diva) growing up in Louisiana. That same year, across the Atlantic, in Paris, the well-loved Japanese fashion talent Kenzo Takada debuted his casual Kenzo Jeans range.
Flash forward to 32 years later and Spears just landed her first luxury fashion campaign for Kenzo’s S/S ’18 La Collection Memento N°2 line which pays homage to that abovementioned Kenzo Jeans collection.
Judging from the images of Spears, lensed by Peter Lindbergh in Los Angeles, you’re bound for a deja vu moment. Just cue items like a cropped denim jacket, thigh-high boots, and a sweatshirt and baseball hat that hark back to the 36-year-old’s pop star sexy-meets-princess wardrobe.
Keeping in line with the nostalgia theme, there is also a heavy emphasis on the house’s archival iconography. Among them is the tiger and bamboo icon that Takada developed as the brand’s original logo in the ’70s. (FYI: These particular motifs were inspired by the designer’s trip to Thailand). Some die-hard Kenzo fans would also notice the appearance of the wave pattern — it was the first motif that Takada ever printed on denim back in the day — in this tribute collection.
So what makes Spears the perfect face and body for this collection? Kenzo’s Humberto Leon sums it up best: “Britney is up there. I think that in many ways, growing up she is also synonymous with denim with me. When her and Justin came out in their denim outfits, that is like an iconic look. Do you remember that?”
As a tribute to the original Princess of Pop, we round up some of her most memorable looks from the early aughts and show how her signature style and sartorial choices are still relevant for S/S ’18.
The Moto Babe
https://www.instagram.com/p/kafyQqmG6M/?taken-by=britneyspearsvideos
The O.G. inspiration: The Bond babe-inspired, motorbike-riding Britney from the Toxic music video.
Seen this season at: Dior showcases ’70s-era leather bodysuits, while boxy leather tracksuits appear at Tom Ford. There are also motocross-ready suits at Fenty Puma by Rihanna.
The “Macho” Heroine
https://www.instagram.com/p/kcw4TCGG3s/?taken-by=britneyspearsvideos
The O.G. inspiration: Britney and Madonna showed who wear the pants — and suits — in the 2003 video, Me Against The Music.
Seen this season at: The Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana shows boast some handsome tuxedos. Ditto at the runway debut of Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
The Country Chick
The O.G. inspiration: Britney’s Western phase, circa 2002. It was the same year she released the movie Crossroads and this Rolling Stones cover.
Seen this season at: American labels R13 and Calvin Klein 205W39NYC showcase cowboy boots and Texan-style shirtings. Versace also catches the Wild West vibe, complete with cowboy hats.
The Vixen
https://www.instagram.com/p/kgrDR5mGzC/?taken-by=britneyspearsvideos
The O.G. inspiration: Cue the signature wardrobe pieces she wore most of the time, like mid-riff tops, bras, bumster jeans and hot shorts. Exhibit A? The outfits in the I’m A Slave 4 U music video from 2001.
Seen this season at: The bra-donning models at Adam Selman, Saint Laurent and Helmut Lang. Showing lots of mid-riff and skin is key.
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