Rosalía Isn’t Just Wearing Fashion – She’s Directing It

Rosalía is the moment. The singer, known for her avant-garde, flamenco-infused albums, is shaping the zeitgeist in 2026. And not only does her music prove it — her fashion sense does too.

Her new album Luxe is grandiose, powerful, a force majeure — and with it, we see a cleansed, sharpened version of the artist. Gone are the days of choni-coded long nails and vinyl-clad looks. Rosalía is here to stay, and her fashion game has never been stronger.

Rosalía’s iconic status doesn’t come from trend-chasing, rather from intentional image construction that is entirely her own. Every aesthetic shift reflects a broader personal and sonic narrative — and that’s what makes her authentic.

During her Motomami era, Rosalía embodied exaggeration: oversized belts, taller-than-life combat boots, nails stretching nearly three inches long. It felt almost like a parody of the male gaze, setting her apart from more streamlined artists who feared pushing against the grain. Yet she merged Japanese streetwear with couture in a way that never felt forced, because it mirrored her music. Even during her flamenco-anchored era of El Mal Querer, she leaned heavily into reds, echoing the “duende” of flamenco — loosely translated as the soul or spirit a dancer summons on stage. A creative force pulled from within. This is the art form Rosalía possesses — one few artists can command so convincingly. She channels her true self through her music, style, and personal aura, seamlessly.

Red was not only a symbol of duende and flamenco roots, but also of passion, blood, and Catholicism. It’s no secret that Rosalía’s work engages with religious imagery. This tension — between reverence and rebellion — coupled with her departure from the “Catholic girl” archetype through midriff-baring silhouettes, high boots, and elongated nails, proves she can occupy both worlds. The dichotomy is deliberate. We crave artists who can hold both piousness and provocation — the operatic, devotional sonics alongside industrial, modern, unapologetic streetwear.

Her recent collaboration with Calvin Klein signals yet another pivot. Here, she edges toward a cleaner aesthetic. In campaign videos, she wears a crisp white button-down and simple black leather pants, minimal makeup, natural hair, and understated silver jewelry. It’s a departure from the statement-heavy silhouettes of her past eras — distinctly modern, distilled, softer, almost intellectual. Yet, her Calvin Klein white bra pokes through. If it suggests maturation, it doesn't feel like abandonment. The roots remain.

At 33, she no longer seems concerned with proving anything. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she appeared radiant in an all-white ensemble, her bleached halo encircling her naturally dark hair. Angelic without excess. It’s rare to see an artist lean so fully into symbolism without tipping into self-importance.

The truth is, icons like Rosalía don’t follow trends. They move with intention. They don’t simply make art — they create their own world within ours.

Rosalía isn’t just wearing fashion. She’s directing it. And as she continues, may we simply be blessed enough to witness it.

Written for medium.com