Madonna’s Fashion Inspiration for Confessions II? The Queen of Pop Herself
Christian Allaire on the American Vogue talks with longtime Madonna stylist Rita Melssen about how she worked together with the Queen of the Dance Floor to cultivate her Confessions II wardrobe, explaining how the main inspiration for her club-ready attire is – unsurprisingly- Madonna herself.
Melssen dug into Madonna’s own personal archives – a work that she started a few years ago when she was in charge of the Celebration Tour costumes together with Eyob Yohannes – and brought back iconic pieces from the original Confessions on a Dance Floor era (yes, that’s 20 yeara ago) and combined them with new custom garments. She tells Vogue:
The idea was to create a woman who just never stopped dancing. She’s been on the dance floor this whole time: the dance floor is where her heart beats, and where everything happens.
For the Times Square performance in collaboration with Grindr, Madonna brought back her now-legendary silver Frida Giannini-era Gucci jacket, paired with custom Dolce corsetry, Swarovski jewelry, vintage Dior sunglasses and silver Saint Laurent boots, also from Madonna’s own archive. Melssen explains:
“We started by looking at what she has, what she’s worn, and what she hasn’t. Those YSL boots have been tried and true for her for a really long time. She’s very organized, and those pieces are very important to her. It’s not just clothing – they’re part of her history, and it has defined moments in her career.”
For Confessions II – The Film, Melssen aimed to more pop royalty-worthy look, with each scene having a distinct fashion feeling to it; the ensembles were all brought to life by Dolce & Gabbana, and if watching the film different times (as you’ve already done by now) is not enough, the article on Vogue will delight you with fantastic backstage pictures of the various looks shot by the one and only Ricardo Gomes.
“We really looked at it as a film, and understanding what her character would be. Each scene had its own distinct style and feeling that was reflected also in the clothes.”
This is how the custom PVC dress was created by Dolce & Gabbana for Good for the Soul; Madonna tops it with a vintage light pink shrug from Dolce spring 1998, straight from her own archive.
During One Step Away, Madonna performs choreography on top of a table; even if she’s wearing unbranded shapewear, this moment is one of Melssen’s favourites.
“It was really stripped, and there was something beautiful about that. I love the glamour and the drama—but also when she’s vulnerable and simple, and it’s just her.”
In Bring Your Love Madonna sports a Dolce crystal bustier from fall 1991 also from her own archive.
“That moment was about being a full-on pop star and saying, ‘I’m here and I’m the queen.”
She changes into a satiny light-blue Dolce club dress, with opera gloves to match for Danceteria.
“It was a custom color, to match her Ray of Light album cover. She was wearing Dolce on that cover, too, so it felt fun.”
The fashion-filled film is not the only Madonna fashions we will be getting a glimpse at this month, Melssen tells Vogue. With a full month lead-up to the album, we can expect many more appearances and performances with the dance-ready clothes to match. “[Madonna] totally understands the significance of wardrobe,” she explains.
“She knows that what you wear has everything to do with the feeling of what you’re trying to create.”
And then there are those rumors about a tour, too. “Just expect more and more,” teases Melssen.
“This is just the start.”
Read the full story on vogue.com.
