From Music to Fashion: The Lasting Impact of Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz is a legend of his craft, breaking records throughout his career in music and film.
VH1 dubbed him one of the “Greatest Artists of Hard Rock,” the Grammys awarded him the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four years in a row, and he has sold more than 40 million albums throughout his career. At 60 years old, he continues to make waves and set new records, getting his first ranking on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart in 2024. Hot off a big year, Kravitz also received the Global Impact Award from The Recording Academy.
Beyond the magic of his music, his icon status has also permeated the fashion world. Since his debut, he has redefined style for male artists and has been responsible for huge moments in the sphere of style. As he embarks on his Electric Blue Light tour, look at some of the biggest ways the music icon has left a mark on fashion.
“The Scarf”
Any Kravitz fan will be familiar with his penchant for scarves and cravats, but this took a whole new level in 2012 when he was snapped by the paparazzi wearing an almost comically large scarf during a walk with groceries in hand. He paired this with his usual combo of a stylish beanie and some sunglasses, tastefully twisting the scarf around his shoulders and letting it hang over his torso like a blanket. Fashion blogs and media quickly picked up on this, but it also took a life of its own and went viral organically.
As with any internet meme, ‘The Scarf’ would go on to haunt any conversation about Kravitz’s style to the point where he even acknowledged it years later in an interview with Jimmy Fallon. In 2024, he would introduce the world to ‘The Big Scarf 2.0’ with equally oversized specs. His fearless approach is clearly not limited to music, as his fashion sensibilities veer into the extreme yet still manage to look good and ultimately influence others.
Tight metallics and timeless leather
If there’s any discussion to be had on the classic elements of Lenny Kravitz’s style, you can’t avoid mentioning tight garments in unapologetic metallic materials and designs, along with a whole lot of leather. When it comes to the music legend, there is no time or place restricting his leaning toward these elements. When he attended the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2022 to present Lionel Richie for his induction, he gave a heartfelt and humorous speech in matching burgundy leather pants and a half-glove with a sheer patterned frock and dark-tinted lenses.
When asked about his preference for leather pants, which he famously wears during workouts as well, he said the style is simply because he wears what he wears, even without trying to create an effect. As evidenced by his choices, he is unapologetic with his preferences and isn’t afraid to stand out if he finds something that suits him. Another viral video in his arsenal, and he has still kept his crown of being one of the most fashionable rock gods. It only adds to the legitimacy of his long-time partnership with Saint Laurent, which offers prestige in design while cultivating a sense of uniqueness and craftsmanship for leathers, garments, and high-concept pieces.
Lenny and lenses
Throughout his career, Lenny Kravitz has clearly loved eyewear. Most of the media surrounding him sees him wearing some form of tinted lenses with classic frames, to the point where seeing him without any type of eyewear almost seems like a rarity reserved for blue moons and meteor showers. It’s understandable for anyone of that fame and star power to need something to shield their eyes from stage lights and camera flashes, but the musician has said he simply prefers the individuality and aesthetic they bring out in him. In an interview with Variety, Kravitz revealed that he started wearing Ray-Bans as early as 15 years old. It only makes sense, then, that he would eventually partner up with the eyewear giant to create a capsule sunglasses collection.
The release centers around Aviator frames, one of the most popular designs available in Ray-Ban’s catalog of men’s eyeglasses. Alongside other classic shapes like the Clubmaster and Wayfarer, the Aviator remains a bestseller despite its release nearly 80 years ago, which is why it’s no surprise that Kravitz chose it to create customized sunglasses for people who want to emulate his timeless style. The resulting limited-edition gold Ray-Ban Reverse pair takes the classic Aviator and uses cutting-edge technology to flip the lenses into a concave form, effectively reducing wavelengths and reflections that can harm the eye and providing wearers with a unique yet stylish piece of eyewear. Music aficionados will further appreciate that these sunglasses have his signature etched into the frames.
Redefining the red carpet
The Fly Away singer is no stranger to the red carpet, so it’s even more fascinating to see him go against the grain as trends come and go. At the 2024 VMAs red carpet, he drew headlines once more by wearing a bejeweled patent leather tie on a beaded cord, paired with a studded belt and his iconic combination of tight leather pants and a matching jacket. Creating even more visual interest, he also decided to forgo any inner shirt underneath the tie.
In line with his collaborations and personal favorites, this whole look was primarily comprised of pieces from Saint Laurent and Chrome Hearts. The standout jacket was provided by Vintage on Hollywood, which is well-known for curating its selection of garments with tasteful and genuinely vintage options that you likely won’t find anywhere else. Kravitz’ love for blending vintage and fresh pieces to create remarkable looks has influenced the design of brands he partners with, including Kohl’s and Levi’s (both receiving positive reception from new consumers). Even when his choices are divisive, they are undoubtedly impactful – a truth most apparent when he coolly braves the throngs of photographers without so much as a drop of sweat.
