Space Oddity: The Many Times Tilda Swinton Paid Tribute To David Bowie At Cannes
When two of the brightest sartorial stars align...
Tilda Swinton has long been revered for her outlandish and unconventional red carpet looks — from sculptural suiting to intricate couture gowns, the Scottish actress’ style sensibilities are anything but ordinary. At the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, The French Dispatch really put her best sartorial foot forward, showcasing a week’s worth of incredible fashion and beauty looks. A standout detail of which was her hair.
Swinton’s white-blonde crop is always a talking point, but her Cannes style roster was incredible — sculptural mohawks, edgy undercuts and volume that seemed to defy gravity. And if we had to take a guess, we’d say her muse was David Bowie.
The late Space Oddity musician was also known for his boundary-pushing hair aesthetic. Flaming red mullets, brassy blonde tones and electric-shock volume were his M.O. Swinton’s modern take is elevated but still quirky — a fitting tribute given her eclectic taste.
Keep scrolling for some comparisons.
CANNES, FRANCE – JULY 07: Tilda Swinton attends the Chanel dinner during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 07, 2021 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/GC Images)David Bowie performs on the Dutch TV show TopPop playing the song ‘Rebel Rebel’ and wearing an eye patch on 7th February 1974 in Hilversum, Netherlands. (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)Tilda Swinton attends the “The French Dispatch” screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 12, 2021 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)Image credit: Getty ImagesTilda Swinton attends the “The French Dispatch” photocall during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 13, 2021 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage)David Bowie in concert circa 1987 in New York. (Photo by Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Images)Tilda Swinton attends the “Les Olympiades (Paris 13th District)” screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 14, 2021 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)David Bowie with Grace Jones after his triumph at he Hippodrome d’Auteuil, in the Paris suburbs, 8th June 1983 (Photo by Richard Melloul/Sygma/VCG via Getty Images)Tilda Swinton attends the final screening of “OSS 117: From Africa With Love” and closing ceremony during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 17, 2021 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)Tilda Swinton attends the final screening of “OSS 117: From Africa With Love” and closing ceremony during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 17, 2021 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) album cover artwork by Edward Bell. Original photograph taken by Duffy.
