From Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols to Rum DMC, The Gallaghers and the Fishtail parka, memorable moments in music collide with memorable moments in fashion. However, while these tribes and trends sprung up in the natural evolution of youth culture, today’s market is a little quicker to offer a fix of ready made cool. Kickers invite the Buzzcocks to transfer the spirit of punk onto their classic boot while Fred Perry adorned the backs of The Specials.
In Part II, Lena Dystant queries the fashion/music crossover by cornering Mathew Hitt’s 6”2 frame into the private wardrobe of The Muscle Club. And squeezing them...
SS: Matt, how did you find playing ‘male model’ for the SUPERSWEET shoot? Was this your first Zoolander experience?
Matthew: Well, I’ve been modelling for a little bit now so it wasn’t too out of the ordinary, except that it was done outside of the Maida Vale studios where we’d just recorded a session so that was a little bit different.
SS: Do you remember the first item of clothing you saved up for?
Matthew: I think it was a Ramones t-shirt I ordered off this site called Interpunk when I was twelve or thirteen. Saving up for that damn postage and packaging…
SS: Describe your look aged 13.
Matthew: Textbook emo.
SS: Any fashion disasters you’d care to share with us?
Matthew: No thanks.
SS: Fashion and music have always gone hand-in-hand - how important is image to The Muscle Club?
Matthew: I think The Muscle Club is where fashion and music stop holding hands.
SS: Describe your current wardrobe?
Matthew: In desperate need of replenishing.
SS: Image wise, which bands got it right and why?
Matthew: Mid-Sixties Bob Dylan. I don’t know why but if you just look at the photographs you can tell.
SS: 50s, 60s, 80s…what’s your favourite style era?
Matthew: They all have their pros and cons, which are invariably and continuously regurgitated for the present day.
SS: When was the last time you threw on a suit?
Matthew: Graduation!
SS: Designer: high-street or vintage?
Matthew: I hear a blend always works.
SS: What or who inspires the fashion choices you make?
Matthew: Well I’d like to dress like early Dylan but it never really works out that way…
SS: What’s your most treasured item of clothing?
Matthew: Shoes! Walking around would hurt without them.
Matthew wears photograph print shirt and brown/cream tweed short jacket by Siv Støldal and his own jeans and shoes.
Words: Lena Dystant
Photography: Bella Howard