#eighties alternative

[eroticlamb]

Cassandra Peterson AKA Elvira at the MTV music video awards, Los Angeles, September 7 1988 ⋆ ౨ৎ ˚ ˖ ࣪ Photographed by Michael Grecco and Barry King

[beauty-in-waste-and-despair]

Robert Smith and Siouxsie Sioux

[possible-streetwear]

LYDIA LUNCH

[cleopatragirlie]

Anita Lane's voicemail, featured in 'O Wow, O Wow' by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds from their latest album 'Wild God'

[ominouspuff]

just wanna say your art is PHENOMENAL! omfg your Commander Fox art has me screaming with how badass it is!

There’ll be no living with him now

Thank you so much!! This is sweet of you to reach out to say; I’m glad you’re enjoying!!

[nothing-but-music-videos]

Echo & The Bunnymen

"The Killing Moon"

Music video, 1984

[madamshogunassassin]

De La Soul

RIP Trugoy ✝️🕊

[beserkclothing]

Killstar x The Lost Boys Collection online now at Beserk SHOP NOW!

[k-zit-the-oooze]

The Sugarcubes, late 1980s

[sauljudgeman]

This picture of Robert Smith does indescribable things to me

[literaryxbones]

Goth History-Episode 1: Brand New Series!

Today I am starting a brand new series on my @literaryxbones blog. As a history buff, 80's enthusiast, and aspiring author, I decided to focus on the formation and evolution of goth.

Most subculture blogs focus on the makeup, fashion, and music; while I'll cover these aspects too I want to pivot towards focusing on the past. It's not something I've seen a lot of people do on here. Archiving our scene is important and there's a lot that can be learned from remembering and preserving it.

General Overview

The goth subculture is centered around its distinctive, bleak, and poetic music. It's emergence has almost no relation to the Germanic Tribes or the medieval architectural period of the same name. Rather, it is a scene swayed by its sound. Music is the priority. Fashion, overlapping interests, and politics are second in line. That is precisely why I'll be overviewing the humble beginnings of gothic genres.

During the rise of punk in the 1970's, post-punk was born. Despite the similar-sounding names, these two styles are sonically different. Post-punk sought to break free of established cliches; combining low-toned bass with funk, synth, and disco elements. A common misconception is that Post-punk came AFTER punk, when it was really created at the same time. The name really doesn't cement that idea. Post-punk musicians, while all different, possessed some similarities. They strove for independence. DIY, upcycling, creative multimedia, and indie record labels signaled a divergence from mainstream industries, consumerism, and conformity. What separated them from the punk scene was their lesser emphasis on politics and innovative new sound.

Siouxsie and the Banshees, Soft Cell, Joy Division, The Cure, and The Talking Heads pioneered the 1980's. Each of them set a precedent for what "pop music" became.

A band called Bauhaus, fronted by Peter Murphy; was among the first to incorporate "Gothic Rock" in its discography. "Gothic Rock" is best illustrated by its bass and minor tones. Its scales lend to its darker atmosphere, complimenting the melancholic lyrical themes goth music is so well-known for.

Though associated with Post-punk, Gothic Rock branched out into a fully-fleshed genre. As you may have guessed, many macabre concepts were inspired by gothic literature, written during the mid-to-late 1800's. Think Jane Austen or Edgar Allan Poe.

Some of the goth subculture shares their interest in cryptids, horror, oddities, and classic poetry with these long-dead writers. This historical evolution influenced the modern goth subculture, as it is today.

Thank you reading the first installment of my new little series. New episodes will be posted every 3 days, so make sure to check back in every once in a while. If you have any topic you want me to cover please let me know Credits: divider made by @animatedglittergraphics-n-more , written by SORDID from @literaryxbones

[eroticlamb]

Donnacha McDonagh, Siobhán Corrigan, and John Fiddler featured on The Late Late Show, 29 January 1983.

[beauty-in-waste-and-despair]

Robert Smith <3

[possible-streetwear]

LYDIA LUNCH

[videostarblogs]

2. 80s new wave

new Ave fashion emerged in the late 1970s and peaked in the 1980s, characterized by its avant-grande, futuristic, and often eccentric aesthetic, here is a break down of the 80s new wave style.

origins and development

new wave fashion evolved alongside the new wave music movement, which emerged as a response to punk rock in the late 1970s. bands like blondie, devo, and talking heads were at the forefront of this musical and fashion evolution. the fashion of the new wave scene was heavily influenced by the punk diy ethos but took it in a more polished and stylized directions. it embraced experimentation with materials, silhouetted, colors, reflecting a sense of rebllion against the mainstream.

key motifs/features

futuristic elements: new wave fashion after featured futuristic and avant=grande elements, such as metallic fabrics, neon colors, and geometric shapes. This reflected the optimism and technological advancements of the era

bold makeup and hair: dramatic makeup and hair styles were integral to the new wave look. think vibrant eye shadows, bold eyeliner, and asymmetrical haircuts, often dyed in unconventional colors like neon pink or electric blue

androgynous silhouettes: new wave fashions blurred the lines between masculine and feminine styles, with many outfits featuring androgynous silhouettes and gender neutral clothing.

statement accessories: accessories play a crucial role in new wave fashion, with oversized sunglasses, chunky jewelry, and quirky hats adding an extra dose of eccentricity to the outfits

mixing patterns and textures: new wave fashion embrace mixing patterns, textures, and prints in unexpected ways. it wasn't uncommon to see outfits combining stripes with polka bots or leather with lace

music

new wave fashion and music were closely intertwined, with many iconic new wave musicians influencing the fashion of the era. bands like Duran Duran, the cure, and Madonna not only defined the sound of the 80s but also set trends with their distinctive style.

Duran Duran

The Human League

Devo

New Order

Soft Cell

Tears for Fears

The B-52's

The Police

Pet Shop Boys

Oingo Boingo

movies

films like blade runner and tron epitomize the futuristic aesthetic that was prevalent in the 80s new wave fashion. these movies showcased sleek, otherworldly costumes and set designers that captivated audiences and inspired fashion trends

Videodrome (1983)

Liquid Sky (1982)

Re-Animator (1985)

The Hunger (1983)

Brazil (1985)

Repo Man (1984)

Miracle Mile (1988)

Heathers (1988)

Night of the Comet (1984)

Blue Velvet (1986)

other media

fashion magazines like vouge and Harper bazaar played a significant role in disseminating new wave fashion trends to a wider audience. editorial spreads featuring the avant-grande designs and bold colors influenced how people dressed in the 80s. music videos also played a crucial role in popularixing the new wave fashion with artists using their visuals to showcase cutting-edge style and aesthetics.

moodboards

outfits

overall

80s new wave fashion was a bold and innovative movement that embraced experimentation and individuality. its influence can still be seen in contemporary fashion with designers an stylists continuing to draw inspiration from its aesthetic.

please leave a like, reblog and follow for more fashion breakdowns, playlists, movie lists, and moodboards like these and leave a suggestion on what to be next!!!!!!!!

videostar signing off...

[nothing-but-music-videos]

Adam Ant

"Desperate But Not Serious"

Music video, 1982