Kylie Minogue: "I'm really quite schizophrenic with fashion" (District MTV Exclusive Interview)

Kylie Minogue's career is one that spans a plethora of reincarnations, a host of style changes and a variety of sounds, all the while maintaining and developing her loyal fan-base. She has been a visionary at the helm of an ever moving ship, guiding it cleverly and consistently emerging with a new yet on-point, contemporary version of herself. The latest of these butterfly-esque reinventions sees her pared back and soulful for her latest album, 'The Abbey Road Sessions', which celebrates her 25 years as an iconic pop princess. Noting the integral use of style and fashion throughout her various evolutions, District MTV caught up with Kylie in the studio to talk about the album, her love of fashion and how important it has been to her over the years.

Exclusive Interview | Kylie Minogue
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How do you feel today, looking back at the evolution of your style throughout your career?

I think I've had a taste of almost every basic style there is and being a natural chameleon, that suits me really well. I love to have fun and my style depends on what's happening in fashion at the moment, what's happening in my life, what I have done and what I haven't done.

And then maybe Kylie the Show Girl, do you have a favourite?

It's hard for me to chose a favourite because they are all different facets of my personality and my 'show persona'. It leads me to think there's actually a lot more than that as well. Some days I'm a proper hippy, some days I look like I belong on a motorbike. I'm really quite schizophrenic with fashion. But I have to say I like the story of the gold hotpants.

What's story of the gold hotpants?

My girlfriend bought them for 50p at a market; I think it was North End Road-in Kensington London. They were living in my cupboard for a while; the first time they had a night out I was with my boyfriend of the time, photographer and director Stephane Sednaoui. We went to a Nerds, Tarts and Tourists party and guess which one I went as? After that they loitered in the back of the wardrobe until my stylist, William Baker, was having a snoop around for the Spinning Around video. He pulled out these tiny gleaming things and said "What about these?" I like their very humble beginnings and that they went on to be one of the most iconic things I've ever worn.

Is there an aspect of your style that isn't so well known, but that you personally really like?

The first one that comes to mind is the Balenciaga dress from the 'Slow' video, it was absolutely a work of art. It was such a tight dress, I was lucky I could move my arms around but still preserve modesty. People love that video and that dress, but it's one very much for people in the know. It doesn't have the same status as the John Galliano Show Girl, the vintage hotpants or the Mrs Jones jumpsuit from Cant Get You Outta My Head. I'm not even mentioning Charlene's overalls! They're in their own arena!

Has he (William Baker, Kylie's stylist, friend and "gay husband") ever pushed you or suggested something that you really didn't like?

All the time, but I think you need someone who's going to challenge you. I've felt way too exposed or trussed up in the past, half the outfits I can't breath in and some of them I have to be cut out of. I end up having a panic attack and want to get the damn thing off. The Julien Macdonald dress I wore for the MTV Awards, where I sang with Robbie Williams, was so racy. I had William and a choreographer, 2 gays, in the dressing room with me. They rugby tackled me out the door shouting, "you have to wear that!" They were right. It looked fantastic, but what it feels like to be in something, and how someone sees you wearing it, are two very different things. Sometimes though, I do rebel and just say no. I carry a weapon in my handbag for such occasions and I'm not afraid to use it; a single Christian Louboutin heel, thrown across the room.

What makes up Kylie's style today?

I suppose if I had to give you a simple answer, it's on and off duty. I guarantee you, the second I get home and I'm no longer on duty, it's very basic; flip flops, cut off jeans and a t-shirt. I'm Australian and come from a very simple life, I need that side of me to get some time in.

So what goes into an on duty look?

God-knows-how-many-inch Louboutins, Show Girl costumes, headpieces that are bigger than me and dresses that weigh more than me. I love the drama and the fantasy of wearing those clothes. Fashion like that can't be underestimated, because when you arrive on stage, even before everyone's heard your song, that outfit is sending a direct message.

The new album, 'The Abbey Road Sessions', is very pared back. Does that reflect a change in you musically and stylistically?

I think the elegance of this album is something that is timely, based on where I am in my career and in my life. I've been able to do it confidently, I don't think I could of delivered the songs that way 10 or 15 years ago and it be believable. Talking about fashion and how it relates to music, there's a certain look that works with this type of album and then when I do the next pop album, it's going to be another thing again. I must say though, I'm grateful that my audience, my fans, like to see me try different things and express myself in different ways, it's very liberating.

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By William Oliver, District MTV

xo K