By: Leilani X Aina
The time and birthplace of punk is debatable, either the New York scene of the late sixties or the British anarchy of 1975-76 can be given the honor. Though, London Punk is what we know today. The Punk sub-culture was reflective of the economic disparities in London at the time, with an overall tone of anti-mainstream, anti-establishment, anti-commercial, and very angry. Which in turn paralleled the fashion, Punks cut up old clothes from thrift shops, destroyed the fabric and refashioned outfits, it was a movement about independence.Â
The foundational punk elements are credited to Vivienne WestWood and Malcom McLaren. Westwood and McLaren, publicized the ideas through their joint design ventures. McLaren launched the 'Sex Pistols' Punk music group. The punk group wore clothes from a shop called 'Sex' that Vivienne Westwood and her partner Malcolm McLaren opened on the Kings Road, London.
The garments above were inspired by the silhouettes of the Punk Movement. A movement founded on anti-fashion, the shapes, colors, and fabrics were contradictory to the time.Â
In a rather conservative 1970s- early 80s London, mesh was the last of materials being used for clothing due to its sheer and revealing qualities, which made it perfect for punk. Here we used a nude sheer fabric and embroidered the words “PUNK SAVED ME” on the front to emulate the movement.
Leather has the same stigma as mesh, just associated with more things taboo in the time, thus, leading us to create a front pleated panel on a neoprene micro mini skirt.
Comments