Stevie Nicks is a style icon. Almost exactly four years ago, I wrote this piece as a style column that appeared in the Metro Silicon Valley.  Since my musical heroine appears in Oakland this week, I had to bring this piece to my blog. Wikipedia even cited it!

Stevie Nicks is currently touring with Rod Stewart just before releasing her first studio album in ten years. She is a true icon of music and of style. In fact, she completely melds her music and her style, each reflect the success of the other. The crystalline intertwining of her visual and vocal characteristics is pure genius. This performance persona has led to a celebrated career spanning four decades.

Stevie Nicks Has Powerful Presence On Stage

Twirling across a stage to the syncopation of a rock music beat, her body sheathed in a delicate lace shawl. Her arms extended to create the effect of a dove taking flight—all while wearing suede platform boots. Indeed, Stevie Nicks embodies the characters of her songs, enchanting her audience. She takes everyone on an arousing escape into a world of white-winged doves, black widow spiders and “sisters of the moon.”

Nicks has perfected a vocal and visual potion that reveals her as a strong, yet romantically feminine, archetype. Many women and men want to relate to her. For many, Stevie is like the character she romanticizes in the song “Rhiannon.” Wouldn’t you love to love her? This desire to relate on a deep level explains why many women show up to Stevie’s concerts dressed like her. Most concertgoers sing along as if sitting alone with Stevie at her piano as she pens her poems.

Stevie’s Signature Looks Make Her a Style Icon

Reportedly, Stevie Nicks took style and performing cues from legendary rocker Janis Joplin as well as how concertgoers dressed themselves. She achieved her signature style by transforming herself into the epitome of bohemian chic. Chiffon skirts, shawls, layers of lace, platform boots and long blonde locks are hallmarks of her signature style. On top of that, she even festoons her microphone and tambourine with ribbons and bows.

Stage Presence, Signature Style, Mystical Music Create a Mythical Brand

As a style icon, Stevie continues to serve as an excellent example of how to make an indelible impression. The consistency of her stage style, vocal qualities and songwriting ensure her place in rock & roll history. For example, she writes potently ethereal poetry, written with equal parts pleasure and pain. Moreover, her mystical Gypsy get-ups comprise one of the finest examples of personal brand building that I’ve ever seen.

I discovered Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album, in a fortuitous first-grade forage through my parent’s album collection 30 years ago. Stevie Nicks still endures as an entertaining entity in my life. I recall being equally entranced by the music and lyrics of “Gold Dust Woman” then as at this moment. The song begins with Stevie’s voice sounding like that of a temptress. Her voice softly echos the undulating bass and beat of the music. Soon, the repetitive quality of the music builds as does its volume into a crescendo of a chorus until the conclusion of the rock & roll fairy tale with a ghostly ending.

I remember gazing at the Rumours album cover. Seeing Stevie’s black finery and golden hair set an impression of her as a dark ingénue into my brain forever. All of these years later, Stevie’s style stands the test of time. Equal in standing is the wisdom of her early lyrics, maturing as the sorceress, timeless in her finery.

Joseph Rosenfeld helps high-profile individuals revitalize, manage, and be secure in their personal visual brand. Visit JosephRosenfeld.com for details.