Honouring David Bowie: a design icon for the classroom
Published 12th January 2026
On the 10th January 2026, we marked ten years since the passing of David Bowie, one of the most influential figures in music, fashion, and design. His creativity continues to inspire, offering design and technology teachers a wealth of ideas to bring innovation, individuality, and experimentation into the classroom.
Bowie’s career, spanning six decades, was defined by reinvention. From his early days in the 1960s to his final works, he blurred the lines between music, performance, and visual design. His iconic stage costumes, from Freddie Burretti’s Ziggy Stardust creations to Kansai Yamamoto’s Aladdin Sane ensembles, and the Union Jack coat designed with Alexander McQueen, demonstrate bold experimentation with textiles, colour, form, and texture. For D&T students, they offer lessons in pushing boundaries, understanding materials, and considering how design communicates identity.
Inspiration across design disciplines
Bowie’s creativity extended far beyond costume. His handwritten lyrics, personal notebooks, and innovative “cut up” writing method show how iterative thinking drives original ideas, a principle that applies to all areas of D&T. Photography by renowned artists such as Terry O’Neill, Brian Duffy, and Helmut Newton captures Bowie as a living canvas, highlighting how presentation and visual storytelling are integral to design. Instruments, stage props, and studio equipment further demonstrate the intersection of technology, performance, and creative problem-solving, inspiring students to experiment across materials and mediums.
A lasting legacy for the classroom
Bowie’s influence on style and design transformed perceptions of fashion, identity, and self-expression. His approach encourages teachers to explore topics like textiles innovation, costume design, and creative thinking in ways that resonate with students. Bowie’s legacy remains a rich source of classroom inspiration. His daring experimentation and attention to materials, texture, and form continue to show how design is not just about objects, but about storytelling, experience, and individuality.
Teachers can download the PDF version of this article below, featured in Designing 125.
