Folk champion

Gucci\'s collection may be all about folkish luxe this season, but Janis Joplin (1943-1970) got there first. Her look epitomised the legendary Haight-Ashbury scene in San Francisco, of which she was a part, in the early ‘60s, and Woodstock festival, where she performed in 1969. Invariably dripping with enough jewellery and baubles - fur hats, crushed velvet bell bottoms, beads, bejewelled and sequinned jackets and blouses, bangles jangling on her arms and rings on every finger - to make a magpie jealous, her passion for her appearance matched her flamboyant onstage persona (\"Janis Joplin in a box\", is what she called it) and whiskey-soaked voice. This was about as far from early \'60s conservative female Western dressing as it was possible to get - and of course, very, very rock\'n\'roll.  Handbag examines the style of this celebrity fashion icon. Danielle Radojcin

Above \"I want to get something out of gold lamé. Very simple but real showbiz looking. I want audiences to look at me as a real performer.\" Janis Joplin, photographed circa 1969. Tie-dye, beads and flares: it\'s not hard to see why she\'s one of Kate Moss\'s fashion inspirations.

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Jewel in the crown

\"I went out & bought myself a $35 pair of boots. Oh, they are so groovy! They\'re old-fashioned in their style-tight with buttons up the front. Black. FANTASTIC! When I get back, I\'m going to rent a sewing machine and make myself some sort of beautiful, outlandish dress to go with them.\" Janis Joplin, photographed onstage in 1960. An abundance of embellishment and accessories were her fashion trademark, as exemplified here in her bejewelled bustier vest and cocktail ring.

Janis Joplin, in ebullient mood, photographed circa 1969, wearing a Russian fur hat (adorned with a brooch), with a sequin patterned jacket over a blouse and velvet trousers. As usual, nearly every finger sports a ring, and there are multi strands of necklace hanging around her neck.

Flare up

\"One of the merchants on Haight St has given all of us free clothes (I got a beautiful blue leather skirt) just because 1) she really digs us and 2) she thinks we\'re going to make it and it\'ll be good publicity.\" Janis Joplin, photographed circa 1969. In her beloved velvet flares, with a sheer, embroidered blouse, and piles of jewellery, she was a pioneer of boho luxe.

Far out

\"I\'m having a few clothes made for me now-had a beautiful dress made out of a madras bed spread and now she\'s working on one of green crepe with a very low V neckline. I\'ve been making things out of leather lately.\" Janis Joplin, photographed onstage, circa 1969. Her shimmering flares and tunic ensemble add to the overall psychedelic haze.

Festival queen

Janis Joplin, photographed at a music festival, circa 1969. Adornment wasn\'t restricted to her clothes; she also had a penchant for flamboyant headgear, such as a Russian fur hat, or a wreath made of leaves, as seen here, topping her unruly mane.

Janis Joplin, circa 1969. Bell-sleeves blouse, bell bottoms, fur hat and an overabundance of jewellery make for a classic look.

Fringe benefits

Janis Joplin, performing circa 1969, wears a fringed leather jacket with jeans, and a wreath made of leaves.

Shine on

Janis Joplin feeling the music, circa 1969. Shimmering purple flares, silver tunic top, with her customary bangles, beads and rings.

All quotes taken from Love, Janis, by Laura Joplin, available to buy on Amazon

See other fashion icon galleries on handbag.com:

Bianca Jagger

Marianne Faithfull 

Michelle Phillips
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