This Is the Secret to “Gothchella” Style, According to Banks
Photo: Christian Classen / @chrisclassen1/6All Alexander McQueenBanks: “This outfit made me feel powerful. I felt like I was wearing armor—like it was protecting me.” Classen: “We have very detailed discussions about the story behind the character she is going to be playing onstage. One of the many characters is the Siren, the Greek goddess mermaid who calls the seamen to the rocks before devouring them. It’s a very Banks reference. But for Coachella, we wanted something a little more masculine but still staying true to her ‘witchy woman/earth mother’ self. In Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2017 collection, Sarah Burton referenced mermaids, sea goddesses, ocean motifs, and pirates. We were so grateful to work with the McQueen team on this performance and see this character come to life.”
Photo: Christian Classen / @chrisclassen2/6Alexander McQueen corsetBanks: “Getting painted by Rachel [Goodwin]. This was so much fun to create. The shapes were meant to represent the two women who live inside me. The process felt like a ritual.” Classen: “McQueen’s look had a beautiful, hand-beaded embroidered jacket that Banks could only wear for one song because of the physicality of the show. We didn’t want to lose the beauty of the embroidery onstage, so we were inspired by the design and mimicked the artwork onto Banks’s arms and neck in the form of a tattoo. Rachel Goodwin designed the look freehand, which brought the Banks pirate/witch/goddess to life. Chad Wood created these soft saltwater twists in the hair, which effortlessly gave the look that she’s risen from the deep sea.”
Photo: Catie Laffoon3/6Ryan Storer custom chokerBanks: “Onstage. Wearing red made me feel different. I’ve never worn a color other than black onstage. It felt dangerous, like fire.” Classen: “I remember when I first met with Banks, one of the first things I said to her was, ‘Let’s go red, all red!’ We had the same vision of red, her as a modern Lydia Deetz; the scene where Lydia wears the red wedding gown with matching veil . . . Banks and I both pulled out the same image. We wanted the fabric we used to resemble flowing blood. It’s a very strong statement using red, and a powerful color for a female performer. Banks is an artist who truly commands the stage, and we wanted a look that would be memorable to both the live audience and viewers at home.”
Photo: Courtesy of Banks / @hernameisbanks4/6Monse topBanks: “On my way to the festival. Was feeling really excited for the show this day. Not so many nerves.” Classen: “When looking at options for Coachella, we asked: ‘Will this help avoid a suntan?’ ”
Photo: Christian Classen / @chrisclassen5/6Monse top, Céline trousers, Janessa Leone hat, and Oliver Peoples sunglassesBanks: “Waiting for Mom to come say hi, before I started getting ready for the show. This was right outside my trailer.” Classen: “Tim Burton, The Craft, and ’90s horror flicks became a running thread we referenced for Banks’s wardrobe. For day looks, we played with pinks, reds, and whites. It made ‘Gothchella’ a little more unpredictable.”