Her Majesty, Madonna Research Paper Sample

Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, a girl born in Bay City, Michigan on August 16, 1958 to Silvio “Tony” Ciccone and Madonna Fortin. She was the third child of her parents, and the eldest daughter (Biography, 2015). At the very young age of six, Madonna lost her mother, who she was named after, to breast cancer. The loss of her mother at such a young age was a pivotal point in Madonna’s life. The heartbreaking event of her mother’s death impacted Madonna’s life, influencing the choices she would make on her path to becoming one of the most influential pop stars the world has ever seen. Madonna’s genius goes beyond the artistry of her music, but has also played a fundamental role in culture on a global scale. The essay will examine numerous cultural shifts that have transpired as a result of Madonna’s notoriety.

Fashion

The world of fashion has been a playground for the queen of pop. From the onset of her introduction to the world of music to the current trends in 2015, Madonna is known to lead the pack in fashion for her extraordinary taste and style. In the early years of the 1980’s when Madonna first appeared to the scene, she mesmerized people with her funky style. The first time Madonna was on display for the world to see, her bold look gripped girls throughout the world who mimicked her every move. The look was made of mini-skirts, lace, see-through tops, rubber bracelets stacked high, wild hair and make-up, and a strong sexual rebellious image that she came to be known for. Webber-Hanchett (2015), “Retailers like Macy's created "Madonnaland" and other Madonna-themed boutiques that sold Madonna-licensed clothing and accessories. Her look pervaded street styles of the mid-1980s and appeared in advertisements for fashion brands such as Benetton” (para. 3). Her earliest look became such a phenomenon that young people in 2015, know exactly what is meant when they hear “80’s Madonna” look. It is actually a popular costume for the 80’s themed parties thirty years later. This entry into the public arena was just the beginning for the powerful position she continues to have in the world of high fashion.
Madonna used images of sex-symbols of the past, such as Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich to inspire her modern sexually charged looks. In her first collaboration with famed designer Jean Paul Gaultier, she introduced the infamous corset and coned-bra look during the 1990’s Blond Ambition era. The use of men’s wear with sexy lingerie was a look that was original and controversial to the scene. The half men’s suit, corset wearing Madonna would ultimately ignite a movement of female sexuality and power that reverberated throughout the world. The world of high fashion adopted Madonna as a sort of spokeswoman for their designs. Her friendship and collaborations involved numerous famous designers like Gianni and Donatella Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, and many more (Webber-Hanchett, 2015).
The statements Madonna made through fashion stood for more than trends in clothing. Her looks supported female sexuality that women were made to feel ashamed of. The marriage of power and sex were a dominant theme associated with her fashion, which changed the culture in women’s freedom of expression through fashion. Embracing feminine power in all walks of life is the point that Madonna made through fashion.

Sexuality

The next fundamental movement that Madonna is responsible for involves sexuality. Not just female sexuality, but also the open-mindedness toward sexual preferences that go beyond heterosexuality. Madonna, who always had close friendships with many homosexual men from her younger years in the world of dance, became a serious advocate for the LGBT movement that is raising awareness of equality throughout the world. The display of her own sexual nature expressed through fashion, music, and photography brought on tremendous criticism for Madonna from conservatives enraged by the seductive, sexually charged declaration she stood for. Madonna condones nearly every aspects of exploring ones sexual fantasies, with the exclusion of rape and unsafe sex (McGregor, 1997).
Culturally, because of her brave exhibition of her sexuality through provocative images displayed through her artistry, she led the way for self-acceptance for the suppressed portion of the world. Women began to embrace and celebrate their freedom of sexual expression; gay men were willing to proudly embrace their homosexuality with a liberation that had not seen before. To ignore Madonna’s impact on the lives of people of all genders and sexual preferences is impossible when exploring the cultural icon she has been for the world. Being sexy and having sex was no longer looked upon shamefully, but celebrated with uninhibited freedom of expression.
Before the public celebration of sex that Madonna was often criticized for, there were many images we see in society that were not always portrayed by the media. Prior to the 1990’s, gay men were not flaunted on the big screen the way Madonna did in her videos and on her world tours. The topic of homosexual, bisexual, and transgenderism were taboo, and not proudly displayed by the media. The relationship Madonna had with the diverse groups showed that there is nothing wrong with how one chooses to express their sexuality. The message to of love is delivered in various manners and should not be shunned because it is not comfortable for each and every member of society.
Her stance on human rights remains strong even in 2015. In recent news, designer’s Dolce & Gabbana made a negative statement against the idea of unnatural conception. According to Billboard (2015) “The designers made comments about ‘synthetic’ children, saying, in part, "We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: Life has a natural flow, there are things that should not be changed.” Despite her loyalty to the Dolce & Gabbana designers and brand, she stood up for the right of people to have children in any method they choose. She has not been the person to back off the causes dear to her heart, and she continues to stand for human rights in these ways throughout her thirty-five years in the limelight.

Accept Global Diversity

Along with Madonna’s stand for the sexual rights for humanity, she is also a staunch supporter of global diversity. This culture influence may have gone unnoticed because it has been less controversial, but none the less it is another influence made on the psyche of her fans around the world. Madonna has shown a high level of comfort and cohesion with various ethnic groups from her early years in both Michigan and New York.
Madonna was never a person to make choices to please others or fit into the box of what is acceptable by society. She had romantically been involved with African American and Latino men as much as the white men she has loved. Her acceptance and promotion of diversity has been delivered in her music and displayed through personal ventures that she has pursued in life. When reviewing her catalogue of music, and the various tours that have followed many of her top selling albums, it is easy to see that she promotes cultural diversity.
The first area to point out regarding her support of diversity would be through mentioning her open display and pride of her Italian and French heritage of her parents. The bold characteristics of her Italian side are on display, and the commitment to the French culture through language is also integral to who she is and how she had passed that on to her children. Beside her personal ethnic background, there is the prominent influence of the African American culture that pervades in numerous phases of her life. Growing up near the heart of Motown was sure to influence her intrigue in the African American culture with the music and dance, but this connection continued to expand with her life in New York City. While in New York, she was romantically involved with famed African American artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and also became a regular in the gay dance club where she learned to vogue. The friendships, romances, and music collaborations with African Americans has been a common theme in her life.
The other ethnic backgrounds she has fondly displayed are the Latin, Asian, and even Middle Eastern cultures. Examples of these various cultures have been seen through her world performances and in tours. The Latin culture had been represented on numerous occasions through songs like La Isla Bonita, and of the entire track for the movie Evita, which was based on the life of Argentinian Eva Perone. Aspects of various Asian influences have also been used for her shows through costume, martial arts, ethnicity of dancers, and music. For example, in her Ray of Light album Madonna sings an entire song, Om Shanti, that is a Sanskrit prayer common to Hinduism and the practice of yoga. These examples of exposing the people of the world to one another’s cultural diversity has been a subtle yet important part in Madonna’s role as one the most influential celebrities of our times.
These aspects of Madonna’s life have impacted modern culture not only in the United States but throughout the world. There is hardly a corner of the world that a person could travel where people do not recognize the name Madonna. A person who just makes great music does not influence the world the way she has. Her art goes beyond the music, but has shifted the perception of how we accept ourselves within our own skin.

Works Cited

 Billboard. (2015). Madonna Weighs In on Dolce & Gabbana Controversy. Retrieved from
https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6509156/madonna-dolce-gabbana-controversy
Biography. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/madonna-9394994
McGregor, J. (1997). Madonna: Icon of Postmodernity. Retrieved from
http://www.facingthechallenge.org/madonna.php
Webber-Hanchett, T. (2015). Madonna's influence on fashion. Retrieved from http://fashion-
history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-history-eras/madonnas-influence-fashion
Works Cited
 Billboard. (2015). Madonna Weighs In on Dolce & Gabbana Controversy. Retrieved from
https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6509156/madonna-dolce-gabbana-controversy
Biography. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/madonna-9394994
McGregor, J. (1997). Madonna: Icon of Postmodernity. Retrieved from
http://www.facingthechallenge.org/madonna.php
Webber-Hanchett, T. (2015). Madonna's influence on fashion. Retrieved from http://fashion-
history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-history-eras/madonnas-influence-fashion