What David Bowie Taught Me About Personal Branding

✨ Or how reinvention isn’t selling out—it’s coming home to yourself again and again.

If there’s one person who knew how to build a personal brand before the term even existed, it was David Bowie. But let’s be clear—he didn’t just “build a brand.” He was the brand. Or better yet, he let the brand evolve with him, unapologetically, outrageously, and always with intention.

When I first started working in communication, I thought consistency meant staying the same. Same colors, same logo, same everything. That’s what the books said. But Bowie didn’t get the memo. He shapeshifted through personas—Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, Aladdin Sane—not because he was lost, but because he knew exactly what story he wanted to tell next. And people followed. Not just for the music. For the feeling. The identity. The meaning.

And isn’t that what we’re all trying to build?

I didn’t understand it at first. But over time, I’ve realized that a powerful personal brand isn’t about locking yourself in a box—it’s about choosing the version of you that feels most aligned right now. And that takes guts. Because the world loves to label you. And Bowie never let that happen.

So what has Bowie taught me (and maybe you, too) about personal branding?

1. Reinvention Is Strategy, Not Insecurity

Changing directions doesn’t mean you’re confused. It means you’re listening. To the world, to your audience, to yourself. Reinvention is one of the boldest forms of self-awareness.

2. Aesthetic Is Language

The makeup, the costumes, the visuals—none of it was accidental. Bowie knew that aesthetic tells a story faster than words. Your brand's visuals? They’re your album cover. Choose them with care.

3. Authenticity Isn’t Static

Bowie didn’t stay “true” to one thing—he stayed true to the act of exploring. Being authentic doesn’t mean being the same. It means being honest about who you are today.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Make People Feel

Bowie’s brand was layered with emotion—alienation, euphoria, angst, transcendence. That’s what stuck. He made people feel something. Your brand should too.

5. People Follow Energy

Not status, not perfection. Energy. Bowie had it. Even when he was quiet, even when he disappeared. His presence was magnetic. He understood the assignment: you are the moodboard.

So what does this mean for you and me?

Maybe it’s time to update your photos. Maybe it’s time to stop apologizing for evolving. Maybe it’s time to change your bio, your website, your brand tone, your playlist. Maybe it’s time to wear the glitter suit, even if it's metaphorical.

If you’re building your brand and you want it to be aligned, unique, strategic and with soul—The Inmediato is here to help. Branding is a mirror, and we’re really good at helping you see yourself in it.

Just remember: you’re allowed to change. You’re allowed to surprise people. You’re allowed to evolve.

Just like Bowie.