Indie Idol: Kim Gordon
Kim Gordon playing bass in the ’90s. Photo: Getty Images
In this series, we’d like to give you a little primer on those icons – musicians, artists, girls-about-town, that are often cited by fashion designers, and editors, as inspiration behind collections, and editorials.
Who: Kim Gordon
What: Musician and Artist
Fans: Marc Jacobs, Hedi Slimane, Sofia Coppola, Rodarte, Anna Sui, Spike Jonze, Purple Magazine editor-in-chief Olivier Zahm, Lena Dunham.
Kim Gordon, 1992 . Photo: Getty Images
Tell Me More: Where to even start with Kim Gordon? If there ever was a woman that defined what “cool” is, it’s Kim Gordon. Gordon first came to the limelight during the ‘80s in downtown Manhattan– which was very much the epicenter of everything “happening” at the time – as the most badass bass player and singer in the seminal indie/noise/art band Sonic Youth. By the ‘90s, when grunge and punk exploded onto the scene, Sonic Youth started opening for bands like the Beastie Boys and Nirvana. But while those groups became international super stars, Sonic Youth stayed cautiously on the sidelines. They wanted to remain indie. At the time, Gordon was one of the few women in the male-dominated music. She produced the first record for the unknown musician Courtney Love’s then band Hole. She also played guitar for the experimental noise band Free Kitten.
Sonic Youth : Kool Thing
Gordon, who went to art school, has spread her creative wings beyond music and painting. Sonic Youth’s 1993 video for “Sugar Kane” starred Chloe Sevigny and featured clothes from Marc Jacobs’ now iconic “grunge” collection for Perry Ellis. In the ‘90s she started a fashion line called X-Girl, with stylist and ‘90s it-girl Daisy Von Furth. She’s also collaborated clothing collections with APC, Urban Outfitters, and Sportmax. She’s also had cameo roles in HBO’s Girls, and Portlandia. Her memoir, entitled Girl in a Band, comes out on February 24. She’s still playing music— after the breakup of Sonic Youth in 2011, she’s started a new band called Body/Head.
Sofia Coppola and Kim Gordon, sporting X-Girl t-shirts in the mid ’90s.
Signature Style: When it comes to music, Gordon is known for her dissonant voice that is mostly spoken. Her personal look echoes her singular singing style: sparkly boots, short skirts (at age 61, the girl has legs and she knows how to use them), and killer crazy trousers. That’s why she’s earned a cult following among downtown rebels and punks for the last four decades.
Kim Gordon starred in Saint Laurent ads for Fall 2013.
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