Madonna on career: ‘I’ve always felt oppressed’ by critics
Pop star discusses her fearless attitude as she stars on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar
Madonna has landed the cover of Harper’s Bazaar’s February issue, marking the 150th anniversary of the magazine’s US edition.
Shot by fashion photography duo Luigi & Lango, the 58 year-old star models a vault’s-worth of vintage jewellery, plus capes by Gucci and Dior, with custom lingerie by La Perla, Stella McCartney and Agent Provocateur.
“I like pushing the envelope,” the pop and fashion icon explains of her art and her ethos in the accompanying interview, which hits newsstands on 17th January. “But I don’t like to do it just for the sake of doing it. I don’t like to be provocative for the sake of being provocative. I like to be provocative. I like to make people think. I like to touch people’s hearts. And if I can do all three of those things in one fell swoop, then I feel like I’ve really accomplished something.”
Her 1930s showgirl look was created by Arianne Phillips- the costume designer and personal stylist who has helped Madonna to reimagine her look countless times over the years- with set curls coiffed by Andy LeCompte.
Madonna’s image came under fire on several occasions in 2016, most notably when she wore a bum-baring Givenchy lace dress to the MET Gala in May, and started a debate about ageless style on social media after commentator Piers Morgan told her to ‘put it away’.
“My dress at the Met Ball was a political statement as well as a fashion statement,” Madonna wrote on Instagram in response. “The fact that people actually believe a woman is not allowed to express her sexuality and be adventurous past a certain age is proof that we still live in an age-ist and sexist society.”
Madonna also reflected on the criticism she’s received over the years in her interview with Harper’s Bazaar. “I’ve always felt oppressed,” she said. “I know a lot
The fact that people actually believe a woman is not allowed to express her sexuality ... past a certain age is proof that we still live in an age-ist and sexist society.” Madonna
of people would go, ‘Oh, that’s ridiculous for you to say that. You’re a successful white, wealthy pop star,’ but I’ve had the shit kicked out of me for my entire career, and a large part of that is because I’m female and also because I refuse to live a conventional life. I’ve created a very unconventional family. I have lovers who are three decades younger than me. This makes people very uncomfortable. I feel like everything I do makes people feel really uncomfortable.”
The editors of Harper’s Bazaar’s 32 editions around the world also had their say on a list of the 150 most fashionable women in the world today, of which, naturally, Madonna was a top choice. The Duchess of Cambridge, Amal Clooney, Kendall Jenner, Beyonce, Naomi Campbell and Michelle Obama were all also chosen for the list that celebrated The Cool Girls, High Society, Modern Mega Stars and the New Guard.
“Our lists were more or less the same,” the US edition’s editor-inchief Glenda Bailey, said. “These women are renowned for style around the world. And they all have such very different styles. This is in praise of the individual.” And there’s no better example of individuality than Madonna.