SimplyAbuDhabi XLVII

Her influence in fashion is undeniable. Decades before “personal branding” became a concept, Lauper was living it. Her look has inspired designers and fashionistas alike, yet it has always been hers alone: intuitive, anarchic, and utterly joyful. She doesn’t dress to please the crowd; she dresses to express the ever-changing canvas of her creativity. And yet beneath the theatricality lies a woman of immense substance. Lauper is not just a style maven or a pop icon – she is an activist, a writer, a Broadway composer, and a powerful advocate for human rights. She has spent decades using her voice not only to entertain, but to uplift and provoke meaningful change. She is also, notably, a woman of remarkable longevity in an industry that has often been unkind to women – particularly those who refuse to conform. Lauper has continued to evolve artistically, crossing genres and mediums with ease. Her Grammy-winning contributions to the musical theatre sensation Kinky Boots brought her talent to Broadway; her jazz and blues records revealed new textures in her voice. She is as comfortable interpreting a torch song as she is belting a dance-floor anthem. Lauper’s beauty – like everything about her – is unconventional in the most compelling way. Her features are animated, her expressions vivid, her presence magnetic. She is a reminder that charm, charisma, and confidence are keys to iconic allure and undeniable presence. What makes her style so enduring is not simply the way she dresses, but the way she inhabits her looks. There is no stiffness, no self-conscious- ness. Whether she’s wearing polka dots, vintage leather, or something entirely unclassifiable, she moves through the world as if to say: “Why not?” In performances, she’s electric – her voice still soaring, her presence undimmed. She doesn’t perform nostalgia; she reclaims it, revives it, and redefines it on her own terms. And that spirit – bold, free, and contagiously fun – is at the heart of her legacy. For those who came of age with her music, Lau- per is a cherished memory. For those discovering her anew, she’s a breath of fresh air. Her songs remain anthems for anyone who has ever felt different, overlooked, or underestimated – and for those who choose, despite it all, to celebrate their true selves anyway. 146 | Simply Abu Dhabi