By Tyler Martin
When the opportunity arises to witness a legend who has been captivating audiences and inspiring fashion movements for nearly 40 years, it’s an opportunity you simply cannot pass up. I recently attended Madonna’s Celebration Tour, where the Queen of Pop took us on a journey through four decades of her music and style evolution. As Madonna’s rebellious ways took the stage, I found myself reflecting on the massive impact she has had on the fashion scene.
For nearly two hours, Madonna shocked the audience with her risqué and defiant performances, accompanied by her curated wardrobe choices. Collaborating with fashion houses such as Almarow, Vetements, Jean Paul Gaultier, Eyob Yohannes, and Versace, she resurrected and reimagined some of her most iconic looks.
The concert followed a chronological order, beginning with her 80s hits. Madonna’s initial outfits were reminiscent of punk and rock aesthetics from her New York club days. During performances of classics like “Holiday” and “Everybody,” she sported a menswear blazer adorned with pins, chains and other embellishments, transporting the audience back to that classic 1980s Madonna whom the world fell in love with.
Transitioning into the 1990s section of her concert, Madonna performed hits like “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer.” Madonna and all of her dancers wore silk boxing outfits, exuding a cool and androgynous vibe. Madonna’s ability to seamlessly blend masculine and feminine styles was evident when she revealed a chic silk slip dress underneath her boxing robe.
A highlight of the concert was the incorporation of drag queens and ballroom, paying homage to Madonna’s roots in the queer dance scene of 1970s New York. We all know Madonna’s famous song “Vogue,” which may remind you of the film The Devil Wears Prada. What you may not know is that “Vogue” doesn’t refer to the infamous magazine name, but instead to “voguing,” a house dance that evolved out of the Ballroom scene in the 1960s. Madonna had such an influence on popularizing voguing, bringing this entire subculture to its mainstream status today (Throwback to when the House of Nike visited SMU last April.) Madonna’s daughter even made a special appearance during the voguing section of the show, strutting her stuff down the stage, to which Madonna held up a well-deserving 10.
During this segment, Madonna revisited her fan-favorite cone bra, collaborating with the original designer, Jean Paul Gaultier, to recreate the controversial yet celebrated piece. The significance of this collaboration signified Madonna’s impact on fashion and her ability to weave her past into the new fabric of her future.
The latter part of the performance showcased Madonna’s more recent music, from the 2010s to the present. Her Western-inspired look paid homage to her “Don’t Tell Me” music video, which felt nostalgic but had a modern edge. Madonna ended on a high-note, closing the show in a breathtaking broken, stained glass catsuit. This outfit reflected Madonna’s new, modern fashion sense, reminding the world that this timeless pop icon is ever-evolving. Notably, her dancers were individually dressed in classic Madonna looks, from the Marilyn Monroe-inspired attire to the lace bridal ensemble.
In the words of Madonna herself, “I think the most controversial thing I’ve ever done is stick around.” As I reflect on the Celebration Tour, this quote resonates so strongly. Madonna’s ability to push boundaries, challenge norms, and remain influential in the fashion industry has cemented her status as an absolute icon. In sticking around, she has not only shaped the past but continues to shape the future of fashion.
