Aesthetics as a Music Artist

How looking good leads to success.

Your aesthetic is a vital part of your artistic identity, helping listeners connect with your work on a deep emotional level. It communicates your artistic values through your choices in fashion, visual art, and online presence, influencing how people perceive your music. By creating a look that aligns with your sound, you invite your audience into your world and allow them to personally connect with your journey as an artist.

Walk the Talk

To develop a cohesive and authentic look, start by identifying your musical style, influences, and personal values. What message do you want to convey to your listeners, and how do you want to be perceived? 

As a music artist, you already make instrument and production choices that reflect the emotions in what you convey with your sound. Now, take it a step further: experiment with clothes, accessories, and hairstyles that embody your message.

Align your aesthetic with your music by gathering visual inspiration from sources in fashion, art, film, and photography. Create a mood board to visualize the colors, styles, textures, and themes that work for you. Are you choosing and using the right elements to effectively communicate your artistic message? 

As you lean into the aesthetic elements that support your message, your signature style and visual identity will emerge. Soon enough, you’ll be walking the talk—embodying your message and becoming recognizable from all angles.

Famous Examples for Reference

As you build your visual identity, consider how it translates to live shows, too. Stage outfits, lighting, and set design choices are all rooted in your aesthetic. Again, remember: what’s the message you embody as an artist?

There are countless names we can look to for aesthetic inspiration on and off stage. Here are a few.

Michael Jackson

From his iconic sequined glove to his military jackets and fedora, Michael Jackson’s unique style set him apart. Those visuals became synonymous with his brand, making him instantly recognizable at a glance. His stage presence and signature dance moves, like the moonwalk, captivated audiences, creating a uniquely “MJ” experience for his fans.

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan, our musical Marie Antoinette, uses pastel colors, silhouettes, and playful accessories that evoke an iconic aesthetic. The style aligns well with her artistic persona and creates a distinct look that compliments her music, adding a vibrant, theatrical flair to her performances. 

Harry Styles

You may not have noticed right away, but Harry Styles's aesthetic is crucial to his artistry, allowing him to express himself while connecting with fans. Known for his eclectic and gender-fluid fashion sense, he often wears colorful suits, ruffles and traditionally feminine pieces, challenging gender norms. His fashion choices reflect themes of love, loss, and identity explored in his lyrics, while his charismatic stage presence enhances his visual expression.

Be True to You

Your aesthetic guides the design process of things like album covers and promotional materials. This is why you should be intentional about how you build and evolve your aesthetic over time, and why you should remain authentic. While you find your aesthetic, stay true to yourself. 

Authenticity resonates and fosters a genuine connection with audiences. You may decide to work with visual artists, stylists, and other creatives who understand and can amplify your aesthetic. Collaborations like this can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to your artistic vision. 

You may or may not need a team to help ensure there is consistent storytelling in your brand. Stay authentic to your message and ask for help if needed while evolving your visual aesthetic.

Position Yourself for Success

Embracing new influences and experiences over time allows artists to communicate their growth authentically, keeping audiences engaged. All in all, aesthetics can help you build a loyal following and cultivate a community of long-time listeners. People will know you for your music and attribute that sound to your appearance (and vice versa).

Use platforms like Instagram or TikTok to showcase your style and connect with fans. Experiment as you see fit, but know that your aesthetic is crucial to your identity as a musician. Curate your look based on who you are and how you want to be perceived artistically. A strong aesthetic aligned to your music will help you succeed in the industry.