Miley Cyrus Styled and Directed Cody Simpson’s Fashion-Forward New Video

Janelle Okwodu
·4 min read

Social isolation has had a transformative effect on the creative community. With the usual resources suddenly out of reach, artists have pushed themselves in new directions, showcasing the scope of their talents in the process. As a couple, Cody Simpson and Miley Cyrus have kept themselves busy since the order to stay in place was issued in Los Angeles in March. 

Cody has been channeling his energies into a debut poetry collection entitled, Prince Neptune, while Cyrus has launched her Webby Award–winning IGTV series, Bright Minded. Their latest project sees the couple drawing from each other’s skill sets: Miley has directed the music video for Cody’s latest release, “Captain’s Dance With the Devil.”

Miley, who took on styling, cinematography, and makeup duties in addition to directing, presents Cody in a new light. The split-screen format puts all sides of his performance on display as he switches personas — Cody, Prince Neptune, and a newly discovered drag alter ego, Rebecca, make appearances. Filled with fashions and objets d’art from their personal collections, the video uses style as a transformative tool. The guy strumming on a guitar in vintage leather pants and the sailor-suited lad wearing the Chanel pearl brooch may be at opposite ends of the spectrum, but they reflect the multifaceted nature of modern stardom. Onscreen, Cody can express all sides of himself, and Miley’s vision allows for such complexity.

Of course, given the constraints of filming during lockdown, the high-gloss production values often seen in music videos are noticeably absent, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The sight of Cody in Miley’s epic collection of vintage designer pieces is undeniably compelling and reveals the intimacies of their relationship. Eagle-eyed fashion devotees will spy pieces from Comme des Garçons (the epaulet detailed coat Simpson wears while brooding), Vivienne Westwood (a black housedress fit for dancing through the garden), and Tom Ford for Gucci (Rebecca’s glittering fringed bag) utilized throughout.

It takes bravery to do something outside the box, but for Simpson, this seems to come naturally. In a personal statement he shared with Vogue, Simpson outlined the thought process behind the visuals and why he and Cyrus have formed a lifelong collaboration.

“I entrusted Miley with full creative liberty in the conceptualization and direction of this visual. Allowing her to execute her vision and interpretation of the song itself. The idea was birthed in our bathroom with Miley organizing her collection of lipstick. I picked up a stick having never looked at one so discerningly before, taken aback by the art of the packaging, the beauty of the Nars symbol embedded in the side, and remarking at how disappointed I’d be to see it ruined once used. This led to my curiosity in the art of makeup, and being educated by Miley on the process of ‘beating your mug’ and, in particular, the art of drag. It was then that the character of ‘Rebecca’ was born.

During this time in lockdown and self-isolation, we were forced to stay inside our own space, having no choice but to encourage ourselves to look subjectively and into our immediate environment for things to work and play with. This inspired a new appreciation for who we are and what we are. Miley’s knowledge of makeup, art, and drag culture combined with my knowledge of maritime and nautical culture. This concerned everything down to the wardrobe: The leather pants I bought myself four years ago, thanks to inspiration I gleaned from seeing Elvis in his leather jumpsuit and Jim Morrison parading the Hollywood Bowl stage in his own pair, to the Chanel blouse I wore under my captain’s jacket endowed with Miley’s vintage Chanel pins and broaches and the blouse Miley herself received from Karl Lagerfeld in Paris after being photographed by him. The vintage Louis Vuitton trunk we bought online under the impression it had a C painted on the side, until discovering humorously upon its arrival it was a worn-down G. The 1930s doctor’s bag Miley gifted me for my birthday with my Prince Neptune logo hand-painted on the side, and our combined book collections and personal belongings used as props.”

Only time will tell where Cody and Miley will take their collaboration next. What’s clear is that this couple seems intent on pushing themselves — and their audience — with dramatic reinvention.

Watch the video for “captain's dance with the devil” below.

This story was originally published by Vogue.

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue