2. Ziggy Stardust is David Bowie‟s most famous
invented character. Even though he didn‟t appear
on the cover of the album that shows his name,
there was an extremely long world tour (from
January 1972 to July 1973).
Chalk drawing of
the album cover
outside the V&A
when we visited the
museum
Ziggy had become so powerful in the music
world, that it lead his creator (David Bowie)
into a fragile psychological state, worsen by
cocaine, that was near to schizophrenia.
3. Ziggy Stardust‟s flamboyant, Japanese style make-up,
spikey, red mullet hair and crazy, futuristic costumes
designed by Kansai Yamamoto, managed to turn David
Bowie alien and future-like.
Bowie also decided to take Ziggy‟s gender to another
level, where he was a mixture of both. Then being very
interested in Asian culture, he made Ziggy an odd
combination of samurai warrior and kabuki onnagata –
In traditional Japanese theatre, male actors played
female roles.
Onnagata
man
4. Short bodysuit with rabbit design
Ziggy Stardust Tour
Kansai Yamamoto
1972
David Bowie: “impossibly silly „bunny‟
costume”
This outfit is decorated with Japanese
style rabbits, relating to Ziggy being
created under David Bowie‟s interest with
Asian culture. The costume seems to be
rather feminine because of the „bunnies‟
and the shape of the garment; it shows a
lot of leg and a little torso than a more
masculine outfit. This refers to how Ziggy
doesn‟t show a specific gender.
5. „Ice Blue‟ suit
„Life on Mars?‟
Freddie Burretti
1972
Description in V&A: „Eye popping colours
of this ensemble were matched by
Japanese eye shadows‟
This Ziggy Stardust outfit has a rather
sophisticated appearance to it, compared
to the rabbit jumpsuit which is more
playful. However the bright blue is eye
catching and clean, suggesting how Ziggy
is futuristic and alien-like. The makeup he
wears shows a strong link to how he was
inspired by onnagata, as it‟s highly
feminine which contrasts against the suit
which symbolises to be more masculine.
