British Fashion Designer/Musician Keanan Duffty on Working with David Bowie, Punk Fashion, and His New Music

His latest 10-track record released earlier this year features influential names in music

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

July 15, 2021

Award-winning British fashion designer and musician Keanan Duffty has made mixing music and fashion his forte, working closely with artists David Bowie and the Sex Pistols, and playing alongside Clem Burke, Patti Smith, Scissor Sisters, Earl Slick, and Moby.

The London Central Saint Martins first-class honors graduate dressed the Sex Pistols for their 2003 American tour, and in 2006 he collaborated with David Bowie to create a fashion collection for Target.

As a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and CFDA Education Committee, Duffty served as stylist for the 2016 CFDA Awards tribute to Bowie, featuring Tilda Swinton and Michael C. Hall, and with costumes by Kansai Yamamoto and Donatella Versace. He's even written a book called Rebel Rebel Anti-Style, which explores fashion, music, and "anti-fashion" icons.

Duffty has had his own success as a singer with his music project Slinky Vagabond. In 2007 he formed the first incarnation of the musical group, which consisted of Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Clem Burke (Blondie), and Earl Slick (David Bowie/John Lennon). Slinky Vagabond made their debut in May of that year as part of Joey Ramone's annual Birthday Bash at Irving Plaza NYC. Duffty performed at the Marc Bolan 30th Anniversary show at the Delacorte Theater, Central Park, New York City, in September of the same year alongside Patti Smith, Scissor Sisters, Moby, Lloyd Cole, and the New York Dolls. On April 18, 2008, Duffty performed with Clem Burke at the opening of the John Varvatos boutique in the former CBGB's at 315 Bowery. The lineup featured performances by Slash, Tom Morrello, Joan Jett, Alan Vega, Ronnie Spector, Ian Hunter, and Cheetah Chrome.

The members of Slinky Vagabond have since parted ways, but the band still lives on with Italian guitarist/producer/songwriter Fabio Fabbri joining Duffty. They recently released a new album, King Boy Vandals, which features influential musicians Midge Ure (Ultravox, Live Aid), Dave Formula (Magazine, Visage), David Torn (Bowie, Sylvian), Tony Bowers (The Durutti Column), Richard Fortus (Psychedelic Furs) and Andy Hilfiger (Tommy's brother) playing bass in one song.

The all-around artist and creative came to visit us at the LifeMinute Studios to talk about the 10-track record, working with Bowie, and the evolution of punk fashion.