All about Lady D: Punk is not Dead

Looking for inspirations in order to find the next trend in fashion, often Subcultures are a major influence, where you would look at.

Subcultures emerge from many reasons; most popular ones are usually influenced by the political/economic situation and/or by music.

Music is a major influential aspect on fashion. Musicians that introduces a strong statement in their music are usually present it through the lyrics of the songs and appearance, Where later on they becomes role models for social groups that adept their favorite musicians style.

Subcultures that evolve from varies reasons mentioned above, will become a role models them self for designers that will translate the style clothing of these subcultures into their own in house style which will become trends and later on street Fashion again.

Looking back at the history of fashion here are some of the major subculture that had huge impact on fashion; In the 50's the teddy boys and rockers, in the 60's the Mod and the hippies, in the 70's disco and punk, in the 80's new punk/new wave/dark 80's then also the pop/hip hop/breakdance and the Goth, the 90's the grunge and retro, 2000's Emo, Indie, Cholo and so on.

Any of the above subcultures can be found as a trend today. designers collections for ss2011 strengthen this statement as seen at Marc Jacobs resort collection about Mod fashion, Roberto Cavalli and Anna Sui the hippie chic, Marc Jacob and House of Holland the 70's disco Jean Paul Guiltier and Balmain the punk and which I will be focusing in.

PUNK New subcultures developed, usually is just a new genre of the previous one. Punk rock music of the 70's was a genre of the 50's Rock-n-Roll. Contemporary example among others is the Emo movement. Based on indie pop-rock music but started as a movement based on hardcore Punk in the mid 80's, their style changed over the time, mostly identified as known in the 2000's.

During mid-1970’s, a punk rock movement based on music was seen at first in united states and spread later on to United kingdom and Australia. American punk emerged from music where British punk was more based on politics against the established system of government.

Punk ideology was left wing oriented and mostly concerned with individual freedom and anti-establishment views included anti-authority, non-conformity, nihilism, anarchism, socialism, anti-militarism, anti-capitalism, anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-nationalism, anti-homophobia, environmentalism, vegetarianism, veganism and animal rights.

Music Groups like Clash and Sex pistols were the base for the British punk. Nihilistic views were shown with the slogan "No Future", which came from the sex pistols song "God Save the Queen.

Punk scene in London was entering officially to the fashion industry when Malcolm McClaren the sex pistols director and Vivienne Westwood opened their shop for punk clothes.

Fashion/life style Included hangouts, and a "do it yourself" attitude. The fashion introduced by this subculture was highly theatrical, including ripped clothing held together with safety pins and tattoos. Clothing was customized by applying paint or using markers.

Punk fashion in the early 1980s included tight "drainpipe" jeans, plaid/tartan trousers, kilts or skirts, T-shirts, leather jackets decorated with painted band logos, pins and buttons, and metal studs or spikes. Converse sneakers, skate shoes, brothel creepers, or Dr. Marten’s boots were part of the punk fashion.

Punk was expressed also through art where artist collaborated with punk music groups.

Punk experienced a new revival Last few seasons and is actually one of the strongest trends that has emerged out of the Spring/Summer 2011 runway shows. Punk can be seen in Ad campaigns,editorials and even in retail shops.