Pop culture has introduced us to numerous fashion trends, with superstars continuously bringing fresh fashion inspirations throughout the decades. From Björk to Rosalía, each decade has left its mark on the fashion industry and on music enthusiasts. Here are seven music videos that intertwine storytelling with music and fashion, and have made a lasting impact on us and the artist.

Kali uchis “ wish you roses”

From her "Red Moon in Venus" album, Kali Uchis herself serves as a fashion inspiration we admire. From "Telepatia" to "Moonlight," the artist has made it clear that her creative vision is unmatched and cannot be surpassed. "Wish You Roses" is a prime example of this unique blend of creativity and fashion. Surrounded by flower petals, adorned in a custom Mawar dress by Veldon Salim, and crowned with a stunning headpiece by Gabe Sin, Kali embodies a blooming flower. The visual's highlight is the exquisite makeup artistry by makeup artist Oh Seong Seok, with colors harmoniously aligning to depict her as a flower. This is undeniably a fashion girl's dream come true.

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y7zc0eO26k

Leigh Anne Pinnock “Your love”

Photos via @leighannepinnock on instagram

Soloist Leigh Anne's debut single is undoubtedly one of our summer anthems, playing on repeat. Apart from its catchy sound and dance moves, the rising popstar showcased her latest song release with five distinctive outfits. Paying homage to Nigeria’s culture in the video, the artist was adorned in tropical attire and a pearl-like swimsuit that stood out and left us wanting to add it to our closets.

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPGg9_HZzmY

“Hold Up” by Beyonce

An album and era that impacted many, from "Formation" to "Don't Hurt Yourself," every music video could have a descriptive essay written about it. With cultural references and significance, "Lemonade" gave us some of our favorite outfits and revealed a side of her we had not seen before. Roberto Cavalli's dress from the Fall 2016 collection brought the world to a standstill. Beyoncé's stylist set a trend that has endured since 2016 and is still remembered today, with Beyoncé effortlessly swinging her bat around cars, exuding elegance. The dress sparked the biggest fashion trend, inspiring countless Halloween costumes, day-to-day outfits, and concert ensembles. The look was undeniably sexy, featuring a unique shade of yellow, and exuded confidence, leaving many eager to recreate her iconic outfit.

Music video: https://youtu.be/PeonBmeFR8o?si=kEZS1OhFgHkQXQDT

“Dirrty” by Christina Aguilera

With the music video banned in Thailand and parents requesting its removal from streaming platforms, "Dirrty" created an era that remains trendy in 2024. Christina Aguilera crafted one of the most iconic fashion sets to date, inspiring countless Y2K mood boards, music videos, and a new generation of fashion enthusiasts. Her yellow bikini top and matching butt bottom chaps sparked a trend that both angered many parents and inspired countless others.

Music video: https://youtu.be/4Rg3sAb8Id8?si=rKLTaR8e0EiChavX

“28 reasons” by Seulgi

In an eerie and suspenseful music video, Seulgi, also a member of the popular K-pop group Red Velvet, revealed a new side of herself with the striking visual and fashion storytelling of "28 Reasons." Drawing inspiration from Korean folklore and urban legends, the styling featured dark-themed outfits and light colors to contrast her dual nature of good and evil. The contrast between innocence and darkness was depicted through over five different outfits, each reflecting the emotions conveyed in the song. One notable outfit that stood out against her portrayal of goodness was a belt dress, symbolizing restraint on certain occasions. The video itself tells a story, with the outfits playing a crucial role in its narrative.

Music video: https://youtu.be/G_BYjnopO6U?si=U7BFpjMD1UFx5fOq

“Bounce back” by Little mix

The UK pop group Little Mix kicked off their "Bounce Back" music video by portraying dolls in a fashionable dollhouse. With brands like Moschino being part of the main stylistic choices, the Little Mix gals owned this era with their brightly colored eye makeup and striking leopard print outfits. The outfits caused an uproar in UK media and demonstrated the confidence of the Little Mix members as they entered their new era. The leopard print outfits symbolized a new level of maturity for the group and looked ridiculously chic!

Music video: https://youtu.be/fnGHESypBuU?si=dfyhEvazdO93-gxt

“Pop” by nayeon

Solo debut from Nayeon from popular K-pop girl group Twice, had an outfit that led to many recreating it. The singer had over fourteen different outfits from popular fashion brands like Michael Kors, Fanci, and Chanel. The outfit that struck out the most was the famous Louis Vuitton S/S 2020 beach towel that was fitted and styled as a romper for Nayeon. With two towels, the stylists had a vision of creating a one-of-a-kind outfit and leave a memorable fashion staple. The music video itself has many fashion staples like the iconic Butterly top from Blumarine.

Music video: https://youtu.be/f6YDKF0LVWw?si=UgncK0JxYEmcd_nd

Music keeps evolving, and so does fashion. With new artists sharing their love with the world, we can't wait to see who else creates a new style and presents it in a new storytelling and iconic moment for this generation.

Article by Citlalli Esquivel, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Bradley Duley, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine