2022.07.30
Now Is the Time to Reconsider the Significance of Overlaying "Music & Fashion" with "Contemporary Perspectives" (Kenichi Aono)
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On July 23, the book "音楽とファッション 6つの現代的視点" (Rittor Music) was published, examining the historical and cultural background of popular music and fashion alongside iconic artists, while addressing contemporary issues such as gender.
What is the relationship between music, fashion, and contemporary perspectives? I spoke with the author, Kenichi Aono, about his thoughts embedded in this book.
PROFILE
Kenichi Aono
Born in Tokyo in 1968. He worked in PR, as a creative director, and as the director of BEAMS RECORDS at Beams Co., Ltd., before leaving the company and becoming independent in 2021. He actively engages as a writer/DJ/creative director in the fields of music, fashion, film, literature, and art. His publications include "迷宮行き" (2014, Tennen Bunko / BCCKS).
https://twitter.com/kenichi_aono
The Background that Prevented It from Being Just a "History Book"
Please tell us the reason for choosing three themes that combine music, fashion, and contemporary perspectives.
I think that the history of musicians' musicality and fashion has been explored to a considerable extent. Simply stating “this song is like that” or “that fashion is like this” may not resonate well anymore.In considering the significance of publishing a book about music and fashion in this era, I wanted to create a book that would at least provoke some awareness or inspire actions such as “doing research,” “listening,” “watching,” or “trying on.”
For example, when contemplating music, it serves not only as a means of “escape from reality” but also connects to “facing the real world.” Of course, there’s nothing wrong with simply enjoying music for its own sake; however, recognizing messages from beloved artists and feeling “I can relate to this” or contemplating societal issues by observing their actions is also important. I found significance in conveying various perspectives like “there are also these viewpoints.”
The six contemporary perspectives I chose range from “gender” to “cultural appropriation,” selecting both universal themes and those emphasizing real-time relevance. Often, I thought about “which musicians fit this perspective.”
Thus, just because a musician is featured in this book, it doesn’t mean that they are necessarily someone I personally listen to passionately. I believe that is why there were many new discoveries.
Which musicians did you find particularly interesting during the writing process?
I found Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish quite fascinating.While I had listened to their songs during selection work, I wasn’t a devoted fan. However, while investigating under the themes of “gender” and “lookism,” I realized that their stances and statements regarding these issues link to their musical expressions and visual representations in music videos.
Considering Gaga, some musicians are often seen as expressing themselves sensually, and many indeed do so. Yet, she acts with an understanding of “who she is now,” maintaining consistency across music, fashion, and social statements. That’s why she is perceived with such conviction. In this era where various activities are visible, I felt her awareness of this is quite clever.
Regarding Billie, she mentions that she’s simply doing what she wants, but her actions, like favoring loose-fitting outfits to keep everything hidden or opting not to use real fur when ordering dresses, showcase her beliefs about who she is. I think this, in turn, encourages her fans to engage in social action, leaving a very smart impression.
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