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SINGER Harry Styles’ is one of the hottest properties in the music industry and the poignant lyrics of his smash hit single couldn’t be more apt.
His self-titled debut solo album featuring Sign of the Times was released this month and is already topping charts both in the UK and US.
Now he hopes his donated jeans, being displayed in Bahrain, will be snapped up just as quickly to help further boost the Jeans for Refugees by Johny Dar initiative.
Artist Johny, who used metallic paint to create an intricate 3D design on the skinny black pair with ripped knees, said: “Harry was born to be a star. He has a sensitive side, which came through while I was painting his jeans.”
As reported last week, GulfWeekly has teamed up with the organisers of the project to raise funds and awareness of the plight of refugees as part of our annual Ramadan Community Campaign.
The hand-painted denims have been painstakingly transformed into unique ‘wearable art pieces’. A selection is currently being exhibited in Bahrain’s MODA Mall and sold to raise funds for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) - an organisation helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.
The paintwork on the jeans may look abstract, but in reality each piece is a customised artistic tribute to the celebrity who wore them.
The jeans currently on display belonged to A-lists stars from the film, art, fashion and music industries, including Victoria Beckham, Carla Bruni, Candice Swanepoel, Pink, Usher, Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, Emma Watson … and Harry.
The 23-year-old, who will make his acting debut in the war film Dunkirk out next month, is best known as a member of boy band One Direction, formed during the British TV series The X Factor.
With his debut solo single Sign of the Times, Harry delivered an instant pop-rock classic with lyrics that include:
‘Just stop your crying
It’s a sign of the times
Welcome to the final show
I hope you’re wearing your best clothes
You can’t bribe the door on your way to the sky
You look pretty good down here
But you ain’t really good
We never learn
We’ve been here before
Why are we always stuck and running from
The bullets, the bullets’
One reviewer described the recording as ‘a credible piece of indie-pop balladry’ but not everyone agreed. Former Oasis band member Noel Gallagher ripped into Styles and Sign Of The Times during an interview, which he suggested: ‘quite frankly, my cat could’ve written it in about 10 minutes’.
Not that his words will worry Harry. All the young star’s coming gigs across the US this summer have already sold out. And, he said, he be would be ‘just as delighted’ if the latest pair of jeans he has donated to the cause were snapped up quickly.
When asked about his design of Harry’s jeans, Johny said: “The linework is intricate – my signature style – telling Harry’s story ‘unplugged’. Full of energy – ready to rock your world!”
Priced at 18,000 Euros, approximately BD7,620, they can be purchased from www.jeansforrefugees.com/shop
