It’s hard to believe, but it is now an entire decade since the Thin White Duke packed up his stardust, released Blackstar as a parting gift, and exited the stage for good. Ten years without David Bowie. And to be completely honest with you, I’m not over it.
I am a massive, unapologetic, lifelong fan. For me, Bowie wasn’t just a musician; he was the blueprint. But more than how he shaped the DNA of modern music, his glorious, unapologetic otherworldliness and beautiful strangeness helped to shape the person I am today.
The Safe Haven for the Misfits
Growing up, if you felt a bit different, a bit left-of-centre, or like you didn't quite fit the mould the world had laid out for you, Bowie was the ultimate reassurance. He was this magnificent, otherworldly creature with mismatched eyes and a crimson mullet who arrived and practically shouted: It is okay to be different. It is okay to not follow the crowd.
He didn't just normalise being a misfit; he made it look like the most glamorous, exciting thing on earth. He gave me—and millions of others—the permission to tear down boring expectations, reinvent ourselves whenever we felt like it, and trust our own weird instincts.
That philosophy stuck with me so deeply that it's woven into the fabric of my life. My house is proudly named Kooks after his beautiful anthem for the unconventional. I walked down the aisle to Kooks too. I even have a tattoo down my arm with my daughter Eliza's name spelt out entirely using the Blackstar alphabet. It’s a permanent reminder of the genius who taught me to love the strange.
Channelling the Lightning at the Workbench
Naturally, that obsession bleeds directly into my jewellery-making. It’s probably the exact reason behind my absolute, borderline-unhealthy obsession with making lightning bolt earrings. Every time I make up a fresh pair, it feels like a little nod to Aladdin Sane and a tiny rebellion against the ordinary.
Whenever I feel stuck at the workbench or find myself thinking I should make things a bit more "safe" to please the masses, I catch a glimpse of the tattoo on my arm or look at the sign on my front door and remember that sticking to the rules is a surefire way to bore yourself to death. He took the unexpected and made it iconic, and that's the energy I want at my desk every single day.
Ten years gone, and the Starman is still blowing our minds. If you’re feeling a bit like a kook or an alien today, just remember that the crowd is highly overrated anyway.
Right, I’m off to go put Ziggy Stardust on the record player, grab a fresh cup of coffee, and channel a bit of that legendary magic into today's orders.
Stay rebellious, stay sparkly. 🥂
RainbowRegalia blog, Pliers & Prosecco, David Bowie 10 year anniversary, David Bowie fan reflections, Blackstar tattoo, lightning bolt earrings, creative inspiration, handmade jewellery Greystones, RainbowRegalia, Rainbow Regalia.
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