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Brave Nu-Rave World
by Webjockey Fashionboyz
Also check out Fashionboyz' new Rifflist for Nu-Rave Faves: Brave Nu-Rave World
Glowsticks, neon nail polish and garish make-up may sound like an acid flashback to a 1995 rave, but don't be fooled, as the Nu-Rave music subculture has infiltrated today's fashion. Led by the meteoric rise of British band, The Klaxons, and joined by other Nu-rave faves such as New Young Pony Club, Trash Fashion, Hot Chip, Datarock, Cansei de Ser Sexy and Riot in Belgium, the music merges punk riffs over electronic beats. Even the term itself is a self-referential, post-modern pastiche, as the genre connotes being a "new" incarnation of old-skule "rave," while at the same time distorting the classification "new wave."
The movement started with kids in Brighton waving glowsticks frenetically during live shows, an ironic reference to 10 years prior when trance reigned supreme. These days, it is an excuse to tier layers of neon with tight leggings, baggy shirts and throwback accessories. The aesthetic is best described by Miss Gala Darling of the online zine iCiNG, "I think the way to master the 'Nu-rave' look is to imagine you're a senior citizen, and you've just caught the bus to Atlantic City to do some gambling for the weekend. However, while you were packing, your cruel grandchild spiked your tea with psychedelics."galadarling.com article
If you are looking for the perfect Nu-rave outfit, here are some surefire steps to rock it righteous:
Never Enuf Neon
You can never have too much neon to be a tru nu-raver. Crack a few glowsticks for inspiration. The more colors you can mix, so long as they are primary, the better. For best results, consult a color wheel to create jarring contrasts between red/green, blue/orange and purple/yellow.
Make-Up B4 U Go-Go
Eye shadow, nail polish, lipstick and, of course, lots of glitter are staples for ensuring that the color literally jumps off your jumper and onto your skin. As with the neon clothing, the more garish and irreverent the make-up, the better.
Long Live Leggings
Unlike old-skule ravers, for whom extra wide "phat pants" were the main semiotic staple, nu-ravers cling to tight pants. Think early punk meets late Emo, and you have the idea. The tighter the better, and although this tends to cause discomfort, especially for the guys, just remember that sometimes pain is a synonym for style.
Success-ories
Glowsticks, 80's plastic glasses, hair clips, neck scarves and even yo-yos are all successful accessories for the Nu-rave scenesters. Why choose when you can wear them all at once? Check out patriciafield.com for some outright outlandish inspiration.
Insider's Tip
Leave no inch of your body untouched by either cloth, make-up or accessory. After all, you are a walking Harajuku billboard, whose luminosity is only outweighed by how much attention you can garner. Nu-rave won't last forever (or even for the next year, according to most cynics), so don't wait to rock it out rave style. Just don't go talking about P.L.U.R. to this generation of "ravers," as you are sure to get blank stares from their dilated pupils.
Photo from joeyelgersma.com
Photo from ebtm.com
Neon dolphin earring
from Patricia Field at Patriciafield.com, $6
Photo from Joey W. Elgersma
Photo from Joey W. Elgersma
Photo from Joey W. Elgersma
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