T. Rex (October 18, 1972) – “Marc Bolan: Meine Kleider” Two-Page Feature - Bravo
This two-page Bravo feature focuses on Marc Bolan's clothes and distinctive visual presentation during the height of Bolanmania. Headlined “Marc Bolan: Meine Kleider”, translated as “Marc Bolan: My Clothes”, the feature uses a dramatic full-colour photograph of Bolan and Mickey Finn alongside a short commentary describing Bolan's fondness for glittering outfits, make-up and unusual footwear.
Publication: Bravo
Date: October 18, 1972
Country: Germany
The two-page presentation is dominated by a large colour photograph of Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn against a purple background. Bolan is positioned prominently at the front in an elaborate glittering outfit covered with multicoloured patterns, while Finn appears behind in contrasting red clothing.
The feature headline reads “Marc Bolan: Meine Kleider”, meaning “Marc Bolan: My Clothes.” Rather than providing an extended interview, the accompanying text concentrates on Bolan's highly recognisable fashion choices.
The German introduction translates approximately as:
“Admittedly: T. Rex boss Marc Bolan likes to wear glittering sequin suits, sky-blue eye make-up, an Afro look and high-heeled snakeskin boots. The girls are after him, even though sometimes he himself looks like a girl. Why not? Clothes make the man.”
The feature therefore presents Bolan's clothing as an essential part of the T. Rex image. Specific attention is drawn to his sequinned outfits, blue eye make-up, curly hairstyle and high-heeled snakeskin boots.
The photograph reinforces the article's focus on fashion. Bolan's outfit is richly decorated with reflective sequins and colourful embroidered patterns, while the styling makes the clothing itself the central visual element of the spread.
Rather than questioning whether such clothes conform to traditional expectations, the feature ends with the phrase “Kleider machen Leute”, literally “Clothes make people”, corresponding closely to the English expression “Clothes make the man.”
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published during the height of T. Rex's popularity, the feature demonstrates how Marc Bolan's clothing and appearance had become subjects of pop-magazine coverage in their own right.
Rather than focusing on records or concerts, Bravo devotes the two-page spread to Bolan's wardrobe and visual presentation. The accompanying photograph of Bolan and Mickey Finn provides a strong example of the elaborate styling featured in T. Rex publicity during 1972.
The wording also reflects the way Bolan challenged conventional expectations surrounding rock-star fashion. Bravo explicitly draws attention to make-up, sequins, elaborate hair and high-heeled boots before ultimately treating the clothing as part of Bolan's individual style.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Two-page Bravo fashion feature on Marc Bolan
Era: 1972 Bolanmania era
Tone: Colourful, playful and fashion-focused
Photography: Large full-colour two-page photograph of Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn against a purple studio background
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Two-page feature titled “Marc Bolan: Meine Kleider”, translated as “Marc Bolan: My Clothes”
• Marc Bolan wearing an elaborate multicoloured glittering outfit
• Mickey Finn pictured alongside Bolan
• References to sequinned clothing, blue eye make-up and high-heeled snakeskin boots
• Bravo's observation that “Kleider machen Leute”, or “Clothes make the man”
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