We take a look at the new documentary about The Stone Roses
Tonight is the premiere of The Stone Roses: Made of Stone, a documentary film by Shane Meadows following the legendary band that pioneered the ‘Madchester’ movement in 90s Britain.
In 1989, Lead singer Ian Brown represented an almost anti-fashion, with his disheveled hair and plethora of oversized Adidas striped tracksuits and Stone Island sweatshirts, while his band-mate Reni quickly coined the ‘Reni hat’ with his association with bucket headwear. Brown’s iconic 1989 Paul Smith ‘Burning Money’ T-shirt stands between the Thatcherite boom and the collapse of the Berlin Wall, representative of a wild and frustrated youth who believed that they could make a change. A fast-paced, drug-enhanced subculture united in a uniformity of stonewash Wrangler flares, bomber jackets and oversized T-shirts, endorsing brands such as Gio-Gio, Ralph Lauren, Henri Lloyd and Fruit of the Loom.
"Brown’s iconic 1989 Paul Smith ‘Burning Money’ T-shirt...is representative of a wild and frustrated youth who believed that they could make a change."
Brown took the baggy clothing synonymous with hip-hop and added a British edge, wearing homegrown urban labels alongside military paraphernalia including hats and cropped jackets, assured by his Mancunian cocksure charm. The band became notorious for their mute approach to the media, heightening the vocal strength of their image.
The ‘baggy’ movement was short lived, peaking and dispersing within 18 months between 1989 and 1991. The Stone Roses slipped away, their subsequent work failing to match their critically acclaimed debut album, still regarded as one of the best British releases of all time. However their cultural and sartorial legacy has continued to inspire each decade, from the recent grunge resurrection to the Marc by Marc Jacobs Pre-Fall 2013 collection directly influenced by Brown. It represents the burst of creativity that can emerge through the gloom of recession, although Brown remains modest over his influence, stating – “We didn't really do anything, people wore flares for a year or two, d'you know what I mean?”
Text by Mhairi Graham
