Prince (April 17, 1996) The Artist Formerly Known As Prince – Musica (Italy)

A glossy fashion-focused feature in Italian magazine Musica celebrating TAFKAP’s bold visual transformation, highlighting his close relationship with high fashion designers — particularly Versace — during the Symbol era.

PUBLICATION

Publication: Musica (Supplemento al numero odierno di Repubblica) Date: April 17, 1996

Country: Italy Section / Pages: Fashion/Culture Feature / Two-page spread + cover insert

Title: The Artist Formerly Known As Prince / TAFKAP

THE STORY This stylish Italian feature explores Prince’s evolution into “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince,” focusing heavily on his iconic and ever-changing wardrobe. The spread showcases multiple striking photographs of TAFKAP in Versace-designed outfits — including a bold red suit, metallic gold top, and tailored looks — positioning him as a style icon on par with Madonna. The article discusses how Italian designers, led by Versace, helped shape his extravagant visual identity.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published in April 1996 between The Gold Experience and Emancipation, this piece reflects the height of Prince’s Symbol era, where fashion and image were as important as the music. Italian media, with its strong fashion heritage, embraced TAFKAP’s theatricality and couture collaborations, viewing them as artistic statements rather than eccentricities.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Fashion editorial on TAFKAP’s style evolution Era: Mid-1990s / Symbol / TAFKAP period Tone: Celebratory, fashion-forward, glamorous Photography: High-fashion studio shots with bold colors and dramatic styling Audience: Italian music and fashion enthusiasts

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS A vibrant multi-page spread with large, stylish photos of Prince in striking outfits (red suit, gold metallic top, white Versace jacket), accompanied by Italian text discussing his image, Versace collaborations, and cultural impact. Includes the Love Symbol logo and bold headlines like “TAFKAP.”

RELATED MATERIAL

• Prince (October 23, 1996) Prince cambia – Musica (Italy)

• Prince (December 14, 1996) Never Mind the Symbolics, Here’s… Prince – NME (UK)

• Prince (August 1, 1996) This Time, He Rocks – MOJO (UK)

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