In an exclusive interview with World Music Views®, Grammy nominated singer Shenseea shared for the first time her ambitions to fully enter the fashion world, where stars like Rihanna and Kanye West have significantly expanded their fortunes.
“I’m in fashion right now, but more in it, yes,” she revealed. Gearing up for the release of her second album “Never Gets Late Here,” Shenseea expressed her ongoing admiration for influential Yeezy fashion icon Kanye West, saying, “Somebody that I look up to right now in fashion is Kanye West (now known as Ye). I always say you know Kanye, you need to come be my creative director real soon.”
She recalls Kanye’s influence on her from the first time they met on the set of Donda listening party: “He styled me for the Donda album right, his sense of fashion is just out of the box and I love style that is out of the box. I love weird fashion.”
“I haven’t stepped into the weird fashion yet but that’s where I am headed. For me it’s an expression, I like to be talked about, when people look at me like what is she wearing, what is that. Even though it’s not the most beautiful it gets your eye, grabs your attention and to me that’s my favorite part of fashion,” Shenseea continued.
Drawing parallels between fashion and performance art, she added, “Just looking at me, my favorite thing to hear when I’m wearing something is what is that. I am about to go really crazy but just not yet, for now it’s time for the music.”
The fashion industry is estimated to reach $1.5 Trillion globally but 2025 with revenues expected to surpass US$770.90bn in 2024 according to Statista.
Music and fashion are also intricately linked because recorded music has become a method of demonstrating individuality, political beliefs, and ideas rather than just entertainment.
Jamaican artists and culture have contributed significantly to the development of the fashion world over the years. Last year Alkaline was featured in Givenchy’s global advertising campaign for SS22, produced by Creative Director Matthew Williams.
The island’s longstanding love affair with the mesh marina, a staple for both men and women in iconic red, green, and gold—a nod to Rastafarian culture have also found a home in fashion houses. These colors, taken from the Ethiopian flag, found their way onto an undergarment of European origin, known in Jamaica as the “under-shirt.” In the 1970s, it became a symbol of “rude boy” fashion in the 1960s and 70s, often worn under a button-up shirt with only the top button fastened.
Evolving over time, marinas became a staple of Dancehall fashion, with artists like Spragga Benz, Louis Culture, Beres Hammond, and Buju Banton sporting them in music videos and performances. Rihanna notably donned the Red, Gold, and Green Mesh Marina in her hit music video “Work” with Drake.
Shabba Ranks, Dancehall’s first Grammy-winning deejay and style icon, introduced several fashion trends to the mainstream, including leather vests, multiple rings on multiple fingers, and ‘cut off foot’ pants. Despite his significant influence, Shabba’s contributions were sometimes overlooked. In 2017, the fans of the Seaview Garden deejay blasted British GQ for mistakenly crediting Harry Styles with popularizing multiple rings, sparking backlash from fans who reminded them of Shabba’s trend-setting ways. Shabba also pioneered the half-high top hairstyle, embraced by singers, rappers, and even Sean John owner P. Diddy.
Representation has also been an issue in the fashion industry in so far as the dreadlocks hairstyle in concerned, which is synonymous with Rastafarian culture, originated in Jamaica and Ethiopia. Initially a form of protest by Ethiopian soldiers loyal to Emperor Haile Selassie I, dreadlocks became a symbol of Rastafarian identity. Despite historical oppression, dreadlocks gained global recognition through the popularity of Bob Marley and reggae music. However, controversies surrounding cultural appropriation persist, as seen in Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2016 collection featuring dyed wool dreadlocks. This sparked discussions about representation and sensitivity in the fashion world.
Watch Shenseea talks fashion below:
