Here's how Gwen's career and style has shaped up - and changed colors
- over the years
By Chris Macias -- Bee Pop Music Critic
Close - X Recent Stories By Chris Macias
So much for the tomboy that we knew from the band No Doubt. Solo
superstar Gwen Stefani is now known as much for her style as her
vocals, easily transitioning from haute couture to homegirl.
She might show up tonight at Arco Arena in a funky marching band
uniform, a Minnie Mouse-like hairstyle or strut in some of the
steepest platform heels you'll ever see. And expect her singing to
sound as chirpy as ever, kind of like the vocal equivalent of day-glo.
How did Stefani reach the zenith of both fashion and rock? Here's a
look at the evolution of her career and style:
Oct. 3, 1969
Gwen Renee Stefani is born in Anaheim. The proud parents are Dennis
and Patti Stefani; she'll grow up with three siblings: Todd, Eric and
Jill.
Gwen's look: Birthday suit, onesies, diapers.
1986
Gwen joins No Doubt around the time of graduation from Anaheim's Loara
High School. (Other celebrity alumni include singer-songwriters Tim
and Jeff Buckley and "Two of Hearts" singer Stacey Q). No Doubt is a
spunky ska band, founded by John Spence and Gwen's brother Eric, that
takes its cues from Madness and the Selecter. Gwen sings back-up and
is something like the kid sister of the group. Gwen becomes the lead
singer when Spence commits suicide in 1987.
Gwen's look: Lots of checkered patterns and black-and-white gear, a la
Madness and 2 Tone ska fashion. There's also a touch of Madonna-be in
Gwen's closet (think funky leggings, bows and other '80s fashions of
the moment). She probably looks back on this time and thinks, "Like,
gag me."
1992
No Doubt releases its major-label debut with Interscope Records, but
the album tanks. No Doubt soldiers on and makes Sacramento a regular
stop (see story, Page 28).
Gwen's look: SoCal skater girl all the way. You can picture her
driving skater dudes to the local half-pipe, sporting her omnipresent
baseball cap and tank top. No Doubt's video for "Trapped in a Box"
hints at Gwen's glam to come. A few scenes depict Gwen as a jazz-swing
diva, wearing a pearl necklace and what looks like a bad prom dress.
1996
No Doubt hits the big time. "Tragic Kingdom" is released and sells
more than 10 million copies. The group becomes like the Fleetwood Mac
of the dyed-hair set. "Don't Speak," the power ballad about Gwen's
break-up with No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal, is No Doubt's golden ticket
to the pop charts. "Just a Girl" becomes a female empowerment anthem,
and teenage gals everywhere soak their heads with hydrogen peroxide in
honor of Gwen, their new fashion plate.
Gwen's look: An East Indian bindi on her forehead, oft exposed
bellybutton and pompadour hairdo. It's a streetwise look that's part
East L.A. chola and part gym rat that births a nation of "Gwenabees."
2000
"Return of Saturn" sells 1 million copies, just a sliver of the
"Tragic Kingdom" juggernaut. No Doubt gets totally radical with its
sound, going for a 1980s vibe that harkens to the era of parachute
pants and flipped Polo collars. Gwen remains a style queen, and No
Doubt gets steady play on alternative-rock radio with "Ex-Girlfriend,"
"Simple Kind of Life" and "Bathwater."
Gwen's look: Think pink. Her hair looks like cotton candy under the
touch of a fancy-pants stylist. It's like a homage to Dale Bozzio, the
lead singer of '80s new-wavers Missing Persons. Awesome.
2001
A collaboration with rap star Eve on "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" lends Gwen
some street cred with the hip-hop set. The tune is produced by Dr.
Dre, who will jump back on the mixing boards with Gwen when it's time
for her solo debut.
Gwen's look: The fly girl next door. She's back to rocking visors and
baseball hats -but her straight blond hair is coiffed perfectly, of
course.
2002
No Doubt goes back to basics and releases the dance-hall flavored
"Rock Steady," which sells 3 million copies. The singles "Hey Baby"
and "Hella Good" boom on car stereos and at homecoming dances. Gwen
also takes the plunge and walks down the aisle.
Gwen's look: Pink and white wedding dress for Dior by John Galliano.
Gwen marries Bush singer Gavin Rossdale -heretofore known as Mr.
Stefani -on Sept. 14, 2002.
2004
Gwen steps into a solo career with the album "Love.Angel.Music.Baby."
An advance single, "What You Waiting For?" is basically a flop,
reaching no higher than No. 47 on the American pop charts. But the
album soon catches on. Kids love Stefani's almost cartoonish persona.
Teenagers and older folks -and even some moms and dads -just dig
Gwen's sassy dance-pop tunes. "Love.Angel.Music.Baby" also introduces
phrases in the pop culture lexicon, such as "Harajuku girls," a salute
to Japanese fashionistas, "I ain't no hollaback girl!" and "that
(bleep) is bananas."
Gwen's look: Alice in Wonderland meets high couture, or what Jean
Harlow might have looked like under the influence of happy gas.
Gravity defying platform heels, more make-up than a Mac counter and
Harajuku girls as sidekicks are part of Gwen's new-school style.
Gwen's fashion also becomes available for the masses via her
"L.A.M.B." clothing line.
2005
"Hollaback Girl" and its pep rally vibe top the pop and R&B/hip-hop
charts. The song has been downloaded 1 million times, a first in the
digital age.
Gwen's look: Gwen made band geeks look cooler than ever with her chic
take on a marching band uniform. Ten-hut!
FAST FACTS
Gwen Stefani
With: Black Eyed Peas
When: 8 tonight
Where: Arco Arena
How much: $35.50-$59.50
Information: (916) 649-8497
(TicketMaster)
http://www.sacticket.com/music/story/13747226p-14588961c.html
====
"I don't care (if I get booed). I don't know any of those people. As long as my kids tell me that they love me, I'm fine. My motto is, when people talk about me, I say, 'Who are they? They're not God.' If God was out there booing me, I'd be upset."
-- Bonzi Wells, Sacramento Kings
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