Article Avenue - free articles and downloads - Do you look good on the dance floor? Indie-rock musicians initiate a revolution

The clothes worn by musicians have always sent shockwaves through the fashion industry, helping to stimulate trends that have gone down in history. Today, things are no different. It's no secret that guitar music has leapt into the charts of late, and that over the last few years, indie-rock groups have become a mainstay in the local media. In fact, music magazines like the NME have been flying off the shelves with the newfound popularity of these bands. However, just as their music has become increasingly ingrained in the mainstream, so too have their fashion trends. From Alex Kapranos, Franz Ferdinand's front man, to Pete Doherty, indie music has hit the fashion industry hard in recent years - and to good effect.

The idea of popular music artists starting fashion trends is not an alien one; indeed, it is a phenomenon that has gripped our society for decades. During the 1960s in the heyday of The Beatles, many men would wear their hair long, inspired by the style of the Liverpudlian songsters. Similarly, in the 1980s, Michael Jackson's legendary red zipper jacket - made famous in music videos for Beat It and Thriller - was all the rage, with both men and women donning the fashion item. These clothes helped spark the fashion sense of many generations, as people took inspiration from their favourite musicians in order to create their own look and define the fashion atmosphere of an era.

Today, a variety of modern musicians have helped engender new trends in men's fashion. Modern rockers Kasabian for example, are featured in the 150th anniversary ad campaign for British fashion label, Burberry. Moreover, Pete Doherty's relationship with British supermodel Kate Moss has made him a staple figure not just in the mainstream press but in the fashion world as well. Indie rave and electro acts, such as The Klaxons and Brazilian scenesters CSS, have also had a significant impact on musical fashion, with The Klaxon's bright neon t-shirts and jeans engendering a new generation of cool.

Music and fashion have become so intertwined that the NME's annual music awards have even incorporated the category of 'Best Dressed Artist' in their annual NME Awards Show, this year held on March 1st at Hammersmith Palais. The category is sponsored by Topman, a popular fashion retailer who continue to lead the way in men's clothes and men's fashion. Last year's nominees included Pete Doherty, Alex Kapranos, The Killers' Brandon Flowers, Liam Gallagher and the eventual winner, Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs. The proliferation of indie-rock figures here clearly indicates the influence of such artists in the men's fashion industry today - a trend which is sure to continue into the future.