Goth influences in fashion

I was reading an article about an exhibition and I just loved the name they used: Dark glamour. Isn’t that the perfect way to define Gothic fashion?

I know most people associate Goth with darkness, destruction and death but the concept represents so much more. From a historic point of view it all started as a post-Punk movement of the late 1970s.

The separation between the two was not political but rather a natural creation of a subculture for those that didn’t find their place into the Punks lifestyle and created Goth as as an alternative, representing a state of mind, something they were rather then something that they wanted to be. 

Goth is not about being cool or different, or something you decide to be - it’s about something you already are, an expression of individuality.

There’s so much to say about this but since we deal with fashion here we’re going to concentrate on that. The dark capes, black make-up, black lace and velvet, leather and spikes are the first to come in mind when thinking about Goth. But Gothic clothing is not just about that as it incorporates elements from periods like the Elizabethan, Victorian (that often embraced the grotesque) and even Medieval times. 

Contrary to popular belief, at the beginning, the Gothic style didn’t found inspiration in the dark and morbid but rather in the romanticism of the Victorian period.

The fashion of that era was so beautiful, glamorous and inspiring. I’m sure you all remember those amazing corsets, long skirts, delicate gloves, hats, lace up boots and feminine jewelry. The outfits had such a romantic feel to them and the thought of all those people dressed like that is just mind blowing.
Can you imagine living in a world where that was the norm? Because I can and I do…a lot! 

Alternative Gothic Clothing embraces a dark color pallet and uses bold jewelry and other accessories as a statement. The shoes are a big part of the allure for me: boots, huge platforms, stilettos, creepers – they are all very distinctive and a trademark of Goth!

Black can be combined with other colors, like red or purple to create a more dramatic and mysterious look. Velvet, leather, silk, feathers and lace are almost always present in the long dresses or corsets typically worn by people in love with this style.

Its influence in today’s street style and high fashion is undeniable. From the Japanese fashion of the Harajuku district in Tokyo that borrowed elements from the Goth movement and combined them with elements from their own culture resulting in the Lolita Gothic (Lolita dresses) style to the inspiration many designers claim to take from this culture - goth is everywhere. John Galliano once said he sees the “'Goth girl as edgy and cool, vampy and mysterious".

And who can ever forget Bram Stoker’s Dracula that was reflected in the fashion scene through the adaptation of capes for almost everything. The truth is I’m a sucker (no pun intended) for a good cape.  

And then we have the countless number of gothic movies and characters that keep on inspiring everybody and feeding this esthetique especially now when horror and fantasy have made a serious comeback.  Some of my personal favorites are: Maila Numi as Vampira, Lily Muster, Morticia Adams, Edgar Allen Poe, Bride of Frankenstein, Enid from Ghost World, The Addams Family, Batman, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca, Daria, Dr. Jekyll and  Mr. Hyde, Dorian Grey and even Jane Eyre’s Catherine and Heathcliff. Tim Burton’s movies also are one of the first things that comes in mind with this stellar line-up at the top of the list: Beetlejuice, Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd, Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissorhands.

 Photos: 1.

Do you have any goth in you?

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Versace Fall Winter 2013 – Milan Fashion Week

Donatella went all out for this fall/winter Versace collection exploring the 90s and punk culture and giving an all knowing wink to this year’s Met Gala exhibit themed  “Punk: Chaos to Couture” which will “examine punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s through its continuing influence today”.

It might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but then again, Versace was always about sexy, wild and liberating. Who else would ever think to bring vinyl center stage and unapologetically use it in everything from dreses, to jackets and skin tight pants? The collection playfully called “Vunk” (which, I guess, stands for Versace Punk) is full of fetish and dominatrix references.

I appreciated all the sharp cuts, slashed leather/pleather, the mix of punk and glamorous, the nostalgic feel of the 90’s that made this Versace collection walk the line between extravagance and exhibitionism.

The accessories were literally hardcore and the highlight of the show in my opinion: chokers with nails, colorful crystals and razors, spiky dog collar bracelets, studded black purses worn  under the arm, cuffed ankle boots overflowing with spikes, chunky razor blade and heavy silver chains necklaces, spike-like screws that pierced the models' earlobes and originally marked specific cuts on dresses. 

The entire feel of the show was defiant, even aggressive but also sexy and glamorous.

I loved how Versace made me simultaneously think about: The Clash, Cher Horowitz, Sex Pistols and Marilyn Manson. But most of all it made me think of that iocnic moment in pop culture when an unkown Elizabeth Hurley accompanied Hugh Grant at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994 wearing the infamous Gianni Versace safety pin dress that subsequently made her famous. 

My favorite detail were these cool harnesses worn over see through plastic tees layered over the medusa head Versace logo that looked like metal but were in fact lined silver bugle beads (just imagine the handwork involved to make them).

So, what do you think?

Oscar de la Renta Fall Winter 2013 - New York Fashion Week

One of my favorite fashion shows from New York Fashion Week was Oscar de la Renta Fall/Winter 2013 Collection. The colors were spot on (from bright pink, emerald green, indigo to the classic Renta red, they were all there), and the cuts just perfect. 

I have to admit that I was curious to see if the fact that Oscar de la Renta invited John Galliano, the disgraced Dior designer, to join his atelier for three weeks and give his input on the upcoming collection would have an impact on the designs. 

Also does that mean that Galliano will make a comeback in fashion? Regardless of all the unanswered questions in the fashion news treadmill the result was amazing - they are a pair made in fashion designers heaven. Even though the collection was classic Oscar - rich, chic and elegant you could catch little glimpses of Galliano now and then, like the wrap coats and cloche hats.

My favorite details were the see-through gloves in different shades gathered over the wrist! I just love those! I need them in my life!

Even if this was a fall collection the clothes had a very light feel to them. Perfectly tailored jackets with unusual cuts were paired with simple midi skirts. 

I loved how the cardigan jackets and Oscar de la Renta dresses were gathered at the waist with lovely, thin belts. I was impressed with the styling and the accessories as well - those three shades of lipstick perfectly matched to every outfit, the simple, vibrant shoes, the wet Spanish hair look – everything just worked! 

The rich colors and bold jewelry (necklaces, brooches, earrings and beaded crystals details) were perfectly chosen and added an extra layer of flavor to this already delicious mix.

I thought all the prints and textures were truly fabulous. The long, elegant but colorful gloves, fur accents and gorgeous ball gowns made this collection one for the fashion history books!

 Let’s not forget the fashion house just celebrated 50 years of work in New York City so Happy Birthday to them for that too!

 Photos: 1.

 So, are you as enthusiastic about this Oscar de la Renta fall collection as I am? Do you find it inspiring or not?

Emerald green

Burgundy who? Forget about that - it’s so last season! Prepare yourself for the new star color: it’s none other than the bold, beautiful, bright emerald green which I always loved and felt deserved its moment of glory. Finally all the other fashion people have caught up!:)))) It was about time!

I so love this color and can’t wait to get my hands on some emerald green stuff - now that we'll probably have more to choose from. And I have to hurry before it gets too mainstream, everyone starts wearing it and eventually ruins it for me. And I’m not even joking here, this is serious business - it happened so many times before with people forever destroying something that I loved by overdoing it. Studs aren’t for example what they used to be in my world!

I’m still safe for now as it mostly popped on the catwalks and street style blogs.

Emerald Green (no.17-5641) was just officially crowned as Color of the Year and given the Oscar by Pantone (the company that uses polls in which designers and brands are asked about the colors they’re featuring in their work - the results of the pools help identify the next big color for that year).

 Here’s what Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said about it: “Lively. Radiant. Lush. A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony. Green is the most abundant hue in nature — the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum. It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity — no other color conveys regeneration more than green.” 

The growing popularity of this color can be directly tied with what’s literally “going down” the runways. And emerald green is king on the runway. It was a long time coming though - especially in the jewelry department, this color had been making an impact for quite a while (anyone remembers the 2011 Golden Globes?!).

And then in 2012, emerald was featured in a number of collections like Gucci, Lanvin and Kenzo. This year Zac Posen, Chanel, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, Nanette Lepore, Tracy Resse, Marimekko and Vivienne Tam, among others, showcased this color in their spring 2013 runway collections.

For me personally this color works wonders in every department and even more in jewelry and I fully intend to make the most of it. I love the fact that is going to look so great with my classic pieces.

Photos: 1, collages made by me

Don’t forget to get your ticket for Emerald City (and I’m not talking about Seattle here), because you won’t regret it, this year’s IT color has something special, maybe even a bit o magic!

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