How to Dress Like a Rock God

4 days earlier than they arrived in New York, simply after their third album launch and simply earlier than their Grammy’s close-up and the following leg of their world tour, the 4 members of Maneskin, the Italian band with a Danish identify that gained world recognition after profitable Eurovision in 2021, were married in Rome. To at least one one other.

All of them wore white: Singer Damiano David, 24, a double-breasted tuxedo, vest and hoop earrings; bassist Victoria De Angelis, 22, a lace veil, draped prime, trousers and opera gloves; drummer Ethan Torchio, 22, a full skirt, lace halter, tulle veil and extra gloves; and electrical guitarist Thomas Raggi, 22, a white prime hat and lengthy coat.

All of them carried bouquets of blood pink roses. Machine Gun Kelly was within the viewers; so was the director Baz Luhrmann.

Alessandro Michele, the previous inventive director of Gucci, officiated in “the identify of Apollo, Elvis and Jimmy Web page” — to not point out world promotion for all concerned. (They aren’t polyamorous, simply finest associates.) And thus was the connection between vogue and rock consecrated but once more.

To be honest, this was no rush to the altar (even when “Rush!” is the identify of Maneskin’s new album). The 2 industries have been sizzling ’n’ heavy over one another for many years, however hardly ever has a younger band used vogue to amplify and prolong its message with fairly as a lot eye-popping cheer as Maneskin. From the time it burst onto the global scene in Rotterdam in metallic burgundy leather-based lace-up Etro, wanting just like the love youngsters of Jimi Hendrix and Abba and belting out “Zitti e Buono,” the band has change into synonymous with a very type of gleeful rock god get-up.

That’s partly due to its yearlong ubiquity: greater than 6.5 billion streams on Spotify; enjoying Coachella, “Saturday Evening Dwell” and the #StandUpForUkraine marketing campaign; opening for the Rolling Stones; collaborating with Iggy Pop and Tom Morello of Rage Towards the Machine; contributing a tune to the “Elvis” soundtrack; and performing on the MTV Video Music Awards, the place the band was nominated for 3 awards, gained one and Ms. De Angelis skilled a wardrobe malfunction throughout their efficiency that turned one thing of a viral trigger célèbre.

And because of working with Mr. Michele, who gave the Maneskin quartet a sizzling mess of a wardrobe impressed by rock icons previous: chaps and leather-based G-strings, sequins and grommets and canine collars and pearls; velvets and feathers and ’70s flares (and a bent to take all of it off the extra heated issues change into). In a world the place the best musical image-makers typically sprinkle their favors throughout the style panorama — whats up, Beyoncé — they might be the very best argument for dedication between model and band since David Bowie attached with Kansai Yamamoto.

Now, nonetheless, Mr. Michele, who as soon as described his relationship with Maneskin by saying, “Once we lastly met, it was like when you might have intercourse for the primary time with the particular person you want and also you say, ‘It was apparent that we have been going to make love in a unprecedented method,’” has departed Gucci. The brand new album is in regards to the darker facet of fame; they know the honeymoon interval can’t final perpetually.

The band, which has been enjoying collectively since they have been youngsters and nonetheless talks like children lounging round a basement at dwelling, spent a while ruminating on garments, music and what occurs subsequent.

Does it shock you that your garments have change into such a speaking level?

Victoria De Angelis What we’re doing may be very completely different from what’s the norm in Italy or how Italy is commonly represented. So I believe one way or the other it’s making a big effect whether or not individuals prefer it or not.

Damiano David Our garments are like a billboard that claims: “We’re right here. Have a look at us.” It’s a method to make ourselves and our message extra readable and extra impactful. We all the time had the view that to make it, we needed to deal with the entire 360 — not simply the music however how we glance and the way we use social media and the way we play, what we play, the place we play. Our angle.

So that you dressed like this from the start?

VA I believe it’s one thing that has helped us develop our personalities as a method to empower ourselves. Particularly rising up in Rome within the neighborhood the place we grew up. It’s very conservative. In highschool everybody checked out us like we have been freaks as a result of we have been enjoying and dressed up weirdly. In the event you go to London or Berlin, nobody cares what you’re sporting. However in Rome, in the event you stroll on the road, boys sporting make-up or stuff like that, everyone seems to be wanting such as you’re the Satan.

Thomas Raggi The primary time we met Ethan was actually hippie, braids, tie-dye, socks, sandals.

Ethan Torchio Rainbows. I appreciated plenty of rainbows.

VA I had completely different phases. I went by, like, a punk and darkish gothic section, after which I used to be very hippie after which simply very camp, very eccentric. Lot of colours and stuff.

TR I found fashion usually actually late. Initially I used to be like a traditional teenager with a hoodie and pants. However within the final two years, I utterly switched in one other path: ’70s fits and stuff like that.

DD Earlier than enjoying within the band, I used to play basketball. I used to be into sports activities.

VA At first I inspired the blokes to be extra loopy. I bear in mind the primary time we have been all collectively at my home enjoying, and so they have been like, “Oh, perhaps it could be cool to put on eyeliner, however perhaps it’s too loopy.’” And I used to be like: “No, let’s do it. Who cares?” At first they simply wanted that braveness. However then after we have been in it, all of them began having a lot enjoyable with it, and all of us developed collectively. It was like we have been constructing this picture in our head of who we needed to be and what we needed to do.

How did it change over time?

DD Once we have been busking on the streets, we had to make ourselves seen, to make ourselves loud, to draw individuals. So I believe that’s type of the place it began.

TR We used to go to classic outlets and purchase issues and put collectively as many issues as potential. We have been type of peacocks working for the group. I bear in mind discovering this cool leather-based jacket I nonetheless have in my wardrobe.

ET Classic shops and likewise the Sunday road market, the place you begin at, like, 5 a.m.

VA Once we went on the Italian “X Issue” in 2017, it was an enormous change. We had entry to all these loopy costumes and garments. That’s after we began being extra daring, with latex, extra revealing, even when we had very unhealthy style on the time. Being conservative has all the time pissed us off quite a bit. So it was a message saying, “OK, that is who we’re, and we don’t care in the event you’re going to criticize.” Then, after we began working with Gucci, it introduced us to a different stage, and we had the possibility to create so many particular appears. We have been capable of actually set our creativity free.

What do you search for in what you put on onstage?

DD I like easy shapes. I believe it’s primarily as a result of I’ve to sing, so my chest and stomach have to maneuver as a result of in any other case I run out of oxygen. How I costume displays the type of particular person I’m as a result of there are extra issues I don’t like than issues I like. And that’s why my wardrobe is simply 4 colours. That’s precisely how I reside my life. I like 4 to 10 individuals and 4 colours: black, white, brown and navy inexperienced. Nothing else.

ET I similar to to be bare.

TR The way in which I costume may be very related to how I really feel. In the event you play a ballad sporting all this kinky stuff, it’s not going to be very comfy. If I’ve to write down music, I’ve to be wearing a sure method as a result of I need completely different vibes.

VA With Gucci, we design our garments collectively. So we actually had the possibility to return out with plenty of concepts, with all our references and bands we love. We needed to talk up and mix all these traces of what’s thought-about female or masculine, gender norms and stereotypes on the physique, particularly the lady’s physique being a lot extra sexualized. We performed the V.M.A.s, and there was this large scandal for my nipples popping out, although Damiano’s butt was actually bare and all of the boys have been shirtless. The very best half is when individuals inform us: “You gave me the braveness to decorate the best way I needed. Earlier than I used to be like too ashamed.”

DD It’s about freedom. What Gucci did was type of break the foundations about this assortment is for girls, so solely ladies can put on it, and that is how it’s a must to construct an outfit and blah blah, blah, blah, blah. We really feel it actually pertains to what we’re attempting to do with our music.

What’s the scenario with Gucci now?

DD No remark.

Are you able to ever think about designing your individual assortment?

VA We get plenty of proposals to make our personal collections, and that may be very enjoyable to do sometime. We additionally suppose it’s very nice to provide smaller and impartial manufacturers the possibility to collaborate and do enjoyable stuff with us.

TR At the moment I wish to put on extra ’90s inspiration — very dishevelled fits and trousers.

VA I believe we’re going to change and develop. However not one thing drastic. Simply day-to-day, after which if you look again, you’re like, “OK, it was very completely different then.”

This dialog has been condensed and edited for readability.