Stevie Nicks is famous for her tousled hair, fringed shawls, chiffon blouses, black floor-length dresses, and bold eye makeup - her name is now known to even those who have never been interested in rock history. She has become a style icon for girls of multiple generations, and her looks have always remained relevant.
Stevie Nicks' journey to become a world-renowned singer was far from a typical success story. Before achieving fame, Stephanie Nicks endured a long and tumultuous path filled with tears, poverty, and dramatic breakups. She was drawn to music from a young age - singing duets with her grandfather at the age of four and receiving her first guitar as a gift on her 16th birthday. Music became her passion.
Stevie had to frequently relocate and change cities due to her father's job as the president of a bus company. In high school, she lived in Arcadia, California, where she first joined the musical group The Changing Times, who played folk rock genre with a focus on vocals. She completed her senior year in Atherton, where she met her great love.
Stevie saw Lindsey Buckingham at a club and found him charming. His band, Fritz, was on the verge of disbanding as the members were going to different colleges, so he offered Stevie the position of a vocalist. The group finally dissolved in 1972, and Lindsey and Stevie started singing together.
The main condition set by Stephanie's parents was that she had to receive an education no matter what. She believed that this helped her establish boundaries and learn to follow rules. Alongside Lindsey, who became her musical partner and boyfriend, she enrolled at the California State University in San Jose. Juggling career, relationships, and studies proved to be challenging. Eventually, her father allowed her to drop out of university.
In 1973, the couple released their first album, "Buckingham Nicks," but it went unnoticed. With their savings depleted, Stevie worked as a waitress. Lindsey, on the other hand, continued his musical pursuits. Stevie would come back from her waitressing job and spend the late hours rehearsing. While Lindsey composed and arranged music throughout the day, Stevie dedicated herself to her passion.
In 1975, the duo joined the British band Fleetwood Mac, and their success skyrocketed. Stevie started writing her own songs, and their composition "Rhiannon" became one of the greatest songs of the past 500 years according to Rolling Stone. Stevie's performance earned her the nickname "the witch" due to the resemblance to an exorcism session.
Stevie Nicks collaborated with designer Marge Kent to create a unique stage image that set her apart from others. She became the embodiment of boho chic, which regained popularity in 2024, and the goddess of black. Many were intimidated by her - she often seemed strange and eccentric. She wore flared jeans, as expected in the boho style, and paired them with semi-sheer blouses adorned with ties and ruffles. Silk scarves were another staple in her wardrobe. Ponchos, tall boots, and mini dresses were also part of her attire.
Although she loved the color black, Stevie began incorporating colorful dresses and vibrant blouses into her wardrobe to alleviate the fear that her "witch" image instilled in viewers. Black held no mystical meaning for her - she simply felt more slender and attractive in it.
In the mid-70s, Nicks and Buckingham became international stars, and their professional success ultimately destroyed their relationship. Stevie left Lindsey and documented their intense romance in the song "Silver Springs."
In the early 80s, Stevie embarked on her solo career. Girls around the world dreamed of replicating her tousled hair and bold makeup, but Stevie herself had little time for popularity. Her best friend gave birth to a son and died from leukemia, so Stevie took on the role of godmother and helped her late friend's spouse, whom she had married but divorced after three months.
Stevie struggled with substance abuse for a long time, and by the late 80s, her health had deteriorated significantly. Recognizing the danger, she sought rehabilitation and turned to psychiatry. She relied on strong medications to overcome her addictions, but they also caused her to lose touch with reality. Despite this, she released several solo albums and embarked on her first solo tour.
When Stevie stumbled at home and hit her head on the fireplace, seeing her own blood made her realize that she never wanted to inflict pain on herself. She went to detox again to overcome her dependency on medications. For 47 days, Stevie battled with herself in the hospital. Detox was a success, and she returned to her music. In 1996, as Fleetwood Mac reunited and embarked on a full-fledged tour, Stevie continued to develop her solo career.
Stevie Nicks continues to perform, tour, and act to this day. She has overcome her fear of black and returned to what has always inspired her. Scarves, pagan tambourines with ribbons, voluminous ponchos, maxi dresses, and high-heeled boots - the 155 centimeter-tall singer has always wanted to appear taller than her bandmates. Her unique style has captivated social media, with young girls studying the biography of the great singer and imitating her fashion.
