Polly Jean, our fever dream. Bound for Central Saint Martins to study sculpture, PJ Harvey ruptured the blokeish early-90s music scene when she signed a record deal instead. Along with Björk and the Riot grrrl movement, she injected alternative rock with a political and social consciousness that was rooted in feminism: bringing body hair into the mainstream again and championing female sexuality.
Just as her music is deeply experimental and ever-changing, so is her style. She's a fashion chameleon. As an artist in the truest sense of the word, PJ Harvey's albums are never without a fully-realised beauty or sartorial mood to match. Be it her To Bring You My Love era, defined by that iconic slick of powder blue eyeshadow, blood red lips, and lusty sequined dresses or shielded in monochromatic Ann Demeulemeester — a designer whom she feels a kinship with — for Let England Shake. Each period of dressing is charged with female desire, and tied together by her signature shock of black hair and enigmatic aura.
When we look at PJ Harvey's style we're reminded that dressing is fluid, something that needn't be defined nor static. A physical manifestation of the poetry, music, and art you consume as it flows through you. That's why we're bringing together some of our favourite PJ Harvey fashion moments for you to get lost in, below.
From lurid colours, skimpy pieces, Victoriana, and punk rock, PJ Harvey's style archive is dripping in art, sex and the Cool Britannia feel. See for yourself, below.
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The famed To Bring You My Love era.
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PJ Harvey at a portrait session for her performance of Henry Lee with Nick Cave in 1995. The chemistry between the then couple is palpable.
Looking to drink in more 90s style from other favourites like Fiona Apple, Winona Ryder, Sofia Coppola and Hope Sandoval? Fill your cup here.