In Style Magazine

When you start with Menudo, there's nowhere to go but up- fashion-wise, at least. But for Ricky Martin, his affiliation with the global phenomenon of preadolescent pop was an important step in developing his showstopping style. The spandex getups young "Kiki" wore have emboldened the adult Ricky to sing it loud, artorially speaking. His looks have always been attention-grabbing, but over the years Martin has morphed from the acid-washed, shaggy-haired lothario of his General Hospital days to the still sexy bon-bon shaker of today. Explaining his fluid style, the Latin charmer says, "It's about different ways of living, daring to go to the next level."


Who were your earliest style inspirations?
When I was a little kid, I wanted to look like Menudo even though they were so shiny. That's why I wanted to join the band. People made fun of my style. I had jeans with comics printed on them and a shirt that also had comics. I'd wear them together. People were like, "Do you have gloves that match?"
Anyone else inspire you?
I thought Billy Idol was cool. I also thought David Lee Roth was rocking, although I did not wear the Lycra pants that he would wear onstage because I had very skinny legs. David Bowie, back in the day, he would do anything. He would be a man-man, he would be a man-woman. People loved it because he dared. I also loved the way Brad Pitt looked in Fight Club (ME TOO!)- the leather, the big glasses, and the shaved head.
Have you ever felt locked into an image?
Not at all. When I started my solo career, I moved to New York and it helped me a lot. It was about just sitting on a bench in a park and looking at people, learning from people. It was all about copycatting back then. Later on you start adding to what you see, working in your own ideas. I felt pretty free: If I wanted to look punk, I would be like, "I can do that without a problem."
What were some of your more outrageous looks?
I tried it all. I never went Mohawk, but my hair was down to my waist and I wore grungy leather and Boy London boots, with my jeans tucked inside them.
Please don't say "acid-wash"
Of course.
When you moved to Mexico in the early nineties, did your style change?
I had hair down to here [chest-level]. I started wearing suits. I had these beautiful Yohji Yamamoto pants that were really tight in one leg and skirt on the other leg. (I wanna see those, any pics?) I went on this Mexican TV show and the guy goes, "Ricky, your pants broke, right?" I said, "You would look so good in these pants if you'd dare." Then I turned to the camera and said, "Do you dare, Mexico?" The audience went nuts. (Ok guys, where has this footage been hiding from me?)
Is there one designer you're loyal to?
I worked with Giorgio Armani for many years. I love what he does, but I think the beauty of life is change. Henry Duarte in L.A. is somebody I also respect and admire. And I like D Squared. The fabrics are amazing, very comfortable. I have some of their pants that come up to right where the pubic hair starts: Half of your booty is out! And if you sit, your whole booty is out. Those, with just a t-shirt. You don't need anything else. (Holy moly, I wanna see him sit down in those pants! swl)
Where do you shop?
I like Fred Segal, but I'm sorry, things there seem pretty casual; but when you go to pay and you're like, "What did I buy? Three thousand dollars for two shirts!" I mean, they're great, but....
What's your typical kicked-back look?
Ripped jeans and sandals and a ripped t-shirt. That's who I am. In Miami, even if you're going out, it's a t-shirt and jeans. Sometimes I like wearing sneakers, and sometimes I like wearing cowboy boots. Yesterday I was performing in my grungy pants and boots, and it looked amazing. (Things that make you go hmmm... I wonder when this interview was?)
You've had long hair and short hair. How do you choose?
If you saw the video for "She Bangs" my hair was long. One day I woke up and I saw the clippers. I meditated and I said, "OK, let's go." And I just cut it right then and there. Mouths fell open.
Do you have lucky clothes or jewelry?
I don't wear much jewelry. I keep it clean. My lucky charms are people around me.
No toe rings, no piercings in places you can't talk about?
I can talk about anything. My ears are pierced. My nipple was pierced. Was. But then it started growing, and I said, I don't want my nipple to grow. But I loved the way it looked.
Is there a picture of you in some getup that's the worst thing you ever had on?
I probably do have pictures. But I'm not going to tell you which ones. --- Tim Allis

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