Fashion Meets Video Series : Havana

 

Adriana Azarloza  | Fashion Meets Video Series | USD Radio

 

Havana Ooo Na Na.  These four little words have been on loop in everyone’s head recently, especially mine.  This catchy tune is sung by Camila Cabello, a Cuban-born singer who was 1/5th of Fifth Harmony and now has proven herself as a successful soloist.  “Havana” features rapper, songwriter and record producer, Young Thug. “Havana” has seen massive success on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 27 straight weeks on the chart.  It reached the top spot in late January, but is back down to number four for the month of February.  Naturally, a hit song like “Havana” has to have an equally popular music video.  The official “Havana” music video made its way to the VEVO HOTTEST 2018 songs, racking up a whopping 524,775,899 views.  The timeless fashion in the video transports the viewer to the vintage and retro-inspired fashion and culture of Havana, Cuba.  

I adore Cuban culture, although, I might be biased.  My grandparents were born in Cuba and lived there throughout Havana’s glory days in the 40s and 50s.  The fashion in the “Havana” video flawlessly portrays the nostalgic vibe of Cuba. Old cars, bright colors, vintage clothes and tropical surroundings are all incorporated into the video.  The video is set in a dimly-lit bar, with moody jazz singers and cigars.  Cabello comes out in a gorgeous flapper-inspired red mini-dress with a matching red vintage Fisherman hat.  Because the dress is completely fringed, it is able to move with her while she dances and moves around the bar. Her dancing combined with the pop of color from the dress and hat are visually interesting and create the perfect classic feel for this Cuban-inspired video.

 Young Thug then comes out, and no surprise, is equally as well dressed as Cabello.  He steps up to the bar’s stage to rap while Cabello is salsa dancing on the dance floor.  He is wearing a deep red tailored blazer, a black and white polka dotted dress shirt and classic black slacks paired with several chains and mirrored sunglasses.  His more flashy and futuristic outfit serves as the perfect contrast to Cabello’s old school fringed ensemble. The retro outfits featured in the video and the classic Caribbean inspired set create the perfect visual interpretation of old-school Havana and Cuban culture.  I can almost smell the cigars, hear the salsa music and feel the humid breeze coming off the palm trees. “Havana” by Camila Cabello gives its audience a one-way ticket to experience the vintage vibes of Havana through both the video and the song. I’m predicting that Havana Ooo Na Na won’t be out of our heads for a while, and to be honest, I’m not mad about it.