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 Images
Tilda 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.
