What is happening now

There is an underlying pattern of subculture references within my research too. In the Contemporary Fashion module, I dipped my feet into the MODS and Teddy Boy movements, learning how fashion was exploited by youths as a voice for standing against economic, societal, and political expressions. It communicated an identity which synthesised the demands of individuals and their anger with what was happening in the world around them. Music and art were a huge influence behind these subcultures, inspiring the fashion choices of the ‘gangs’ greatly. Despite their looks being feared at the time, deconstructionist fashion elements are continuing to appear in resurgences within fashion design, especially in the work of contemporary designers Rei Kawakubo and Martin Margiela- a continuous revival and form of expression, identity and belonging to a community.

Society today is enduring its second financial recession within the space of 2 years. We are observing the struggling of communities, companies and impacts which will be passed onto the younger cohorts. Industries are rallying their frustrations through strike action, demanding change from authorities through pay rises and improved working conditions. Since individuals are continuing to be misheard and overlooked, could we see a resurgence for rebellion? We are irrefutably being masked by false hope from governmental figures whilst desperately clutching on straws for survival. The current Generation Alpha, already have climate issues, sustainability challenges and economic backlogs from the Covid 19 pandemic, will an additional recession tip them over the edge and encourage them to create a stand in the near future, using fashion as their voice for change? It isn’t the first-time youth have taken matters into their own hands, could history repeat itself? Could a revolution of the punk scene be cascading down on the fashion industry?