David Bowie, a music and style icon, left behind a massive archive of over 90,000 items, now open to the public at the David Bowie Centre at the V&A East Storehouse in London. This collection includes costumes, instruments, lyrics, and more, offering a glimpse into the life of a creative genius. Famous fans like Moby, Goldie, and Natalie Merchant have shared their favorite pieces from this archive, showing how Bowie’s work touched their lives. In this article, we’ll explore some of these treasures and why they matter, using very easy English to explain their importance.
1. The Ziggy Stardust Costumes: A Symbol of Transformation
One of the standout items in Bowie’s archive is the Ziggy Stardust costume designed by Freddie Burretti in 1972. This quilted suit with a geometric pattern, seen on the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, changed how people viewed music and fashion.
- Why It Matters: Natalie Merchant, a singer, said this costume sparked her “adolescent awakening.” As a teenager in rural New York, she was amazed by Bowie’s bold, androgynous look. The suit made him seem otherworldly, blending male and female styles in a way that felt daring and new. Another fan, Anthony Szmieriek, found the same costume in his father’s wardrobe, connecting him to a man he never knew through their shared love for Bowie’s music.
- Cultural Impact: The Ziggy Stardust look helped create the glam rock movement. It showed that musicians could use fashion to tell stories and create characters, like Bowie’s alien rock star persona. This costume is a symbol of bravery and creativity.
2. The Thin White Duke Costume: A Clean Break
Another iconic outfit is the Thin White Duke costume from 1976, designed by Ola Hudson, Giorgio Armani, and Browns. This clean-cut look, with a white shirt, black waistcoat, and slick hair, marked a shift from Bowie’s wilder, more colorful styles.
- Why It Matters: Peter Murphy from the band Bauhaus remembers seeing Bowie in this outfit during a concert at Wembley. It showed Bowie trying to move away from his earlier, more chaotic years. The simple, elegant style reflected a new chapter in his life as he focused on staying clean and focused.
- Cultural Impact: This costume showed Bowie’s ability to reinvent himself. He wasn’t afraid to change his image, inspiring other artists to experiment with their own styles and personas.
3. The EMS Synthi AKS Synthesiser: Shaping Modern Music
The EMS Synthi AKS synthesiser, used by Bowie and Brian Eno on albums like Low, ‘Heroes’, and Lodger in 1977, is another gem in the archive. This instrument helped create the experimental sounds of Bowie’s Berlin era.
- Why It Matters: The Anchoress, a musician and producer, said this synth changed her life. She first knew Bowie for hits like Life on Mars, but the Berlin albums introduced her to a more experimental side. The synth’s unique sounds shaped her career as a producer and fueled her love for analog instruments.
- Cultural Impact: The Berlin era, with its moody, electronic music, influenced genres like new wave and electronic music. The synth is a reminder of how Bowie pushed boundaries, blending art and technology to create something new.
4. Handwritten Lyrics for Life on Mars: A Songwriting Masterpiece
Bowie’s handwritten lyrics for Life on Mars (1971) are a treasure for fans like Joe Elliott from Def Leppard. These lyrics capture the brilliance of one of Bowie’s greatest songs.
- Why It Matters: Elliott says Life on Mars stands out as a “beacon of brilliance.” The lyrics, with their poetic and surreal imagery, show Bowie’s talent as a songwriter. Seeing them in his handwriting feels like getting a peek into his creative mind.
- Cultural Impact: Life on Mars is one of Bowie’s most beloved songs, covered by many artists. Its mix of storytelling and emotion made it a classic, and the handwritten lyrics are a direct link to Bowie’s genius.
5. The Labyrinth Crystal Ball: A Cinematic Icon
The crystal ball from the 1985 movie Labyrinth, where Bowie played Jareth, the Goblin King, is another highlight. Roddy Woomble from Idlewild remembers watching the film as a child and being fascinated by Bowie’s character.
- Why It Matters: For Woomble, the crystal ball represents Bowie’s ability to transform. He went from a rock star to a magical, mysterious figure in Labyrinth. This item captures Bowie’s talent for blending music, acting, and storytelling.
- Cultural Impact: Labyrinth introduced Bowie to a new generation of fans. His role as Jareth, with the iconic crystal ball, made him a pop culture legend beyond music.
6. Hamburg Gig Poster: A Snapshot of 1978
A 1978 Hamburg gig poster, featuring a self-portrait by Bowie and his albums like Low and ‘Heroes’, caught the eye of Moby. This poster captures a key moment in Bowie’s career.
- Why It Matters: Moby, who lived near Bowie in New York, cherishes this poster because it represents Bowie at his creative peak. The 1978 tour included songs from Station to Station, Moby’s favorite album. The poster is a window into that era of live performances and artistic growth.
- Cultural Impact: The late 1970s were a time when Bowie was experimenting with new sounds and styles. The poster shows how he connected with fans through art, music, and live shows.
7. Bowie’s Vision of the Future: The 1999 Interview
Goldie, a musician and DJ, picked a 1999 BBC Newsnight interview where Bowie talked about the internet and DJ culture. He saw changes coming that others didn’t.
- Why It Matters: Goldie admired Bowie’s forward-thinking mindset. In the interview, Bowie described the internet as a “velvet claw”—soft but powerful. He predicted how it would change music and culture, showing his ability to understand the future.
- Cultural Impact: Bowie’s insights were ahead of their time. His embrace of new technology, like releasing music online, set an example for other artists.
8. Why the Archive Matters
The David Bowie archive is more than a collection of objects. It shows how one person’s creativity can change music, fashion, and culture. From costumes to lyrics to instruments, each item tells a story about Bowie’s ability to reinvent himself and inspire others. Fans like Moby, Natalie Merchant, and Goldie show how Bowie’s work touched their lives, from teenage discoveries to professional inspiration.
This archive, opened on September 13, 2025, lets fans and new generations explore Bowie’s world. It’s a reminder that his legacy lives on, encouraging people to be bold, creative, and unafraid of change.
