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Gothic Chic
Article for Riffin' by Webjockey Fashionboyz
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Morose Moods
From the runways of Dior to the streets of Stockholm, Goth fashion has been resurrected from its dark and musky tomb.
Gothic fashion first hit the scene hard in the 80's for followers of the morose musings of such pioneering post-punk bands as Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Skinny Puppy. With a look that is dark and brooding, replete with blackened lips, eyes and nails, elements of Goth fashion have been brought in recent years to the catwalks of high fashion.
Whether it is the Marquis de Sade or Wiccan witches, the cultural references of Goth fashion are diverse. Central to the look is a sexualized and at times fetishized conception of the female form. Corsets create an hourglass shape, while low cut tops reveal cleavage. For men, tight pants create the same curvaceous and revealing outlines. Opposed to many other subcultures, men wear as much make-up as the women.
In recent years designers such as Galliano for Dior and Imitation of Christ have drawn upon the Gothic look for inspiration. Given the inherent sexuality of Goth, as well as the perennial popularity of black as a touchstone for most fashion collections, this appropriation can be literal or more abstracted.
It's easy to adopt today's Gothic trend. First, go dark with the make-up. Even better is to lighten the face with whitening make-up and to darken the hair to the deepest shade of blue-black. For both men and women, ruffles are key. Leather and lace, often in combination are also on point, as are layers of silver jewelry.
While the heyday of Goth may be a distant memory, its legacy of strong and severe fashions lives eternal...much like a vampire lurking in dark shadows.
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