An Odyssey of Fashion and Witchcraft

Article by Madeline Byers and Ella Mawson

Lana Del Rey for Vogue Italia

What comes to mind when you think of David Bowie? Or how about Lana Del Rey? For me, timeless yet innovative are the first words. Pioneers off their individual times they seem to be etched into people's childhoods and memories - their indent into entertainment gets deeper and deeper as time passes. For me at least, I have vivid memories of the windows down, dreamy skies and my dads tone deaf humming, under his breath, to the whimsical melodies of Lana Del Rey’s video games. Recalling facts about her performance abilities and how (at least at the time) she wasn’t the best, saying to envisage a small voice and light, nostalgic songs into an arena that would seat thousands of people. During darker times, I have a clear memory of the shockwave throughout the world when David Bowie passed. It was clear that he was someone to respect, and for Britain to look back on with pride at (perhaps) the greatest creation they had produced. I’m sure there are ample similarities first come to mind when thinking about David Bowie and Lana Del Rey - but the least likely would be witchcraft … The first thought that many people have when the topic of witchcraft is brought up is that its not true, maybe something to tell children to enforce good behaviour. But is it exactly the point on whether it works or not? Or could be an outlet for people to ease peoples minds if something is troubling them? That is exactly how Lana and David used it, but in very different ways.

Lana, for Dazed

When I found out Lana Del Rey had practiced witchcraft, my immediate reaction was, of course, she didn’t cover Season of the witch for no reason! Del Rey performed witchcraft more recently on Donald Trump when he was first inaugurated. First speculations of Lana engaging in witchy activity was on 23rd February 2017 in a tweet, ‘At the stroke of midnight. Feb 24, March 26, April 24, May 23. Ingredients can b found online.’ These dates lined up with a recent moon and a worldwide wide witch led movement to cast a binding spell to remove president Trump from office (ingredients unflattering photo of Trump, for example, any photo, a white candle, water, salt and feather). This was used to bind Trump and his peers, encouraging the very behaviour that was so destructive. So did this work? Well, Trump has only fully kept 1 of his 5 main promises, and further from that kept 18% of his promises whilst Obama did 48% (but he did have a second term to fulfil them) according to Polifiact. Brushing this off when asked about this Lana expressed to NME ‘Why not? Look I do a lot of shit’. ‘I’m a mystic at heart’ when I read these quotes, the unbothered, mysterious attitude from Lana made her even more intriguing - Lana Del Rey, a poet, singer, songwriter, fashion goddess and witch.

Bowie, 1972

David Bowie’s experience with witchcraft was used more as protection for himself. Furthermore, he was said to be scared of black magic and even believed that associates wives were witches so he threw them out of his recording sessions. Frantically drawing pentagrams (a five pointed star used as a magical, mystic symbol) all over his LA mansion, to conjure demons. His wife noted in her book about David that he took measures to protect himself - going as far as having a white witch perform an exorcism (attempting to drive out an evil spirit from a person or place). At this point, Bowie also had a harrowing cocaine addiction that peaked in the mid 70’s leading him to hate sleep and to quote ‘I would much prefer staying up, all the time’. Looking back on this, Bowie describes these times as ‘ the singularly darkest days of my life’. Unfortunately, Del Rey struggled with addiction in her life as well - at the young ages of 14/15. To try and resolve the issue her parents sent her to a boarding school to recover and has stayed sober throughout her career. They both however, managed to become sober no matter the battles life threw at them.

Lana del Rey has been a fashion icon for as long as I can remember, her iconic fashion sense throws us back to the 70s and 80s, no one rocks the look more than she does. Whatever she wears, she spins her own unique spin on it and we are loving it! She definitely out does any other modern singer. Let's not forget her signature bouffant middle parting, her classy makeup and her bold accessories to put the whole look together. Lana has inspired this generations edgy teens fashion sense, the 70s look includes vintage sweaters and cardigans, sundresses and cowboy boots. She embraces the floral patterns and simplicity of fashion, whether it's an off the shoulder dress or a pair of flared jeans with a bomber jacket she wears it with authenticity and class. A bad girl 70s vibe is one that Lana Del Rey can pull of easily!

If there's anyone who can dress out of this world and look amazing doing it, it's Bowie. His Unique fashion sense has inspired designers all over the world such as Jean Paul Gaultier. In spring 2013 his women’s wear collection, “rock stars” showed a Bowie inspired asymmetric star- spangled net catsuit. Not only was Bowie's fashion sense one of a kind, but it challenged gender stereotypes and influenced other people to do the same thing, he completely abolished the idea that men should dress masculine. It's clear that Bowie expressed himself through his vibrant and colourful and inspires other people to do the exact same thing. Bowie told Cameron Crowe in an interview : “When I go out onto a stage, I try to make the performance as good and as interesting as possible, and I don’t just mean singing my songs and moving off. I think if you’re really going to entertain an audience then you have to look the part, too.”

Bowie had multiple personas which he channeled onstage and off, for example Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and the Thin White Duke. Having these different personalities allowed Bowie to express himself and his fashion sense in different ways, he also used vibrant and dramatic use of make-up to go with his extraordinary outfits. To this day Bowie's fashion sense is still influencing people and designer brands, androgynous clothing ( also known as uni- sex) allows people to feel more comfortable in what there wearing. Bowie has made such a huge impact on the fashion and music industry and his influence will remain with us for the hundreds and hundreds of years to come. Despite not being a usual comparison, in my mind Bowie and Del Rey have the same spirit and thoughts upon all forms of art. You can read, live, listen, see, experience them as people, their ideas and art. From fashion to witch craft to the lows of addiction, David Bowie and Lana Del Rey are iconic people with more similarities than you might expect.