It’s been less than a month since Prince passed away. He was one of the most iconic artists of our lifetimes and a person whose idea of fashion touched everything in the decades that followed his celebrity. Explicitly sexual, but with nods to a buttoned-up Victorian rigidity. Overtly masculine, but subversively feminine. Splashes of funk and fanciful frivolity. Prince’s fashion influence was full of contradictions. Even the Love Symbol which he was known by was a combination of the female and male gender symbols. Today, we received a first look at one of the first love notes to Prince’s legacy, which play on many of the themes that he navigated throughout his career.
Shot by Joshua Jordan and with art direction by Christopher Sollinger, the Harper's Bazaar Serbia shoot features Chanel Iman dressed to embody some of Prince’s most iconic looks, ranging from Purple Rain and Dirty Mind to Plectrumelectrum. Everyone will recognize Prince's iconic lace gloves and curling locks (courtesy of stylist Kisha C. Jones), but there are a few Easter eggs for hardcore fans of The Purple One, including the set itself, clearly visible in the video teaser. The photos were shot at Electric Lady Studios. (Says Jordan, “Jimi Hendrix owned and designed the studios — it hasn’t changed since the ‘70s, and Prince loved it there.”)
When it came to hair and makeup, Iman came equipped with her own personal inspiration: her mother. Jordan adds, "She showed us pictures of her mom in the Afro, and when she put it on, it was as if we moved into the future and flashed back to the past."
Makeup artist Yacine Diallo was not only inspired by Prince, but also the strong women in his life: "The story was also a tribute to all the talented, beautiful, and sexy women like Vanity 6, Sheila E., Wendy, and Lisa he had on stage with him throughout his career. Chanel Iman was perfect to interpret this sensuality and freedom that always inspired me while growing up watching Prince videos and listening to his music."
For Sollinger, Prince was a personal hero: “I grew up listening to Prince. His overt, in-your-face sexuality sustained me in my conservative Connecticut town. I felt if Prince could be the man he was, perhaps I, too, could live my own truth.”
Click through for all the images, gifs, and the behind-the-scenes video from the shoot. Find the issue on newsstands right now.
Calvin Klein Collection paillette coat, Thomas Wylde chain belts, Master & Dynamic headphones, Lacrasia leather gloves, Third Crown rings, Wendy Nichol & Maria Tash earrings, Agent Provocateur panty, Falke stockings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Versace dress, Helen Yarmak amethyst rings, Gianvito Rossi boots, Wendy Nichol and Maria Tash earrings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Philip Plein chain top and shorts; Adrienne Landau shrug; Lacrasia lace gloves; Helen Yarmak amethyst rings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Calvin Klein Collection paillette coat, Thomas Wylde chain belts, Master & Dynamic headphones, Lacrasia leather gloves, Third Crown rings, Wendy Nichol & Maria Tash earrings.
Thom Browne jumpsuit, Coco & Breezy third eye sunglasses; Wendy Nichol earring; Lacrasia lace gloves.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Alessandra Chamonix fur, Agent Provocateur lingerie, Helen Yarmak amethyst rings; Wendy Nichol earrings, Gianvito Rossi boots.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Loewe top and skirt, Lacrasia lace gloves, Laruicci earring, Sebastian shoes.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Thom Browne jumpsuit, Coco & Breezy third eye sunglasses; Wendy Nichol earring; Lacrasia lace gloves.
Roberto Cavalli jumpsuit; Lanvin archive from Stazia Loren choker and earring, Stazia Loren archive beaded bracelet.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Dolce & Gabbana embroidered blazer; Linda Farrow sunglasses; Harlem's Heaven military hat; Wendy Nichol & Maria Tash earrings; Third Crown ring; Frieda Rothman stack rings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Saint Laurent beaded scarf, Gabriela Cadena fringed skirt, Thomas Wylde pants, Wendy Nichol earring, Helen Yarmak amethyst ring and broach, Third Crown ring, Eugenia Kim bootie.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Sacai coat, Kelsey Randall silk blouse, Jill Stuart pant, Freida Rothman rings.
Blumarine silk blouse, jacket, and trouser; Wendy Nichol earring; Third Crown cross necklace and ring; Freida Rothman rings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Sacai coat, Kelsey Randall silk blouse, Jill Stuart pant, Freida Rothman rings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Anna Sammarone Silk Blouse, Valentina Kova yellow suit, Freida Rothman rings, Third Crown ring, Master & Dynamic headphones.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Dolce & Gabbana suit, Harlem's Heaven military hat, Agent Provocateur fringe eye mask, Wendy Nichol & Maria Tash earrings, Third Crown rings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Emporio Armani blazer, Emanuel Ungaro top, Saint Laurent trouser, Coco & Breezy third eye sunglasses, Wendy Nichol & Maria Tash earrings; Helen Yarmak amethyst rings, Eugenia Kim booties.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Roberto Cavalli jumpsuit; Lanvin archive from Stazia Loren choker and earring, Stazia Loren archive beaded bracelet.
Gabriela Cadena white suit, Belle et Bon Bon bra, Agent Provocateur lace panty, Wendy Nichol earring, Stazia Loren archive pearl necklace.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Emanuel Ungaro top, Agent Provocateur lace panty, Thomas Wylde trouser and chain, Third Crown gold necklace.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Philip Plein metal vest, True Royal velvet trousers, Lacraisa lace gloves, Salvatore Ferregamo silk foulard, Eugenia Kim boots.
Adrienne Landau fur, Gabriela Cadena fringed skirt, Wendy Nichol earring, Helen Yarmak amethyst rings.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Salvatore Ferregamo silk foulard, Wendy Nichol & Maria Tash earrings, Helen Yarmak amethyst rings, Third Crown ring.
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Sollinger.
Philip Plein metal vest, True Royal velvet trousers, Lacraisa lace gloves, Salvatore Ferregamo silk foulard, Eugenia Kim boots.
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