Gothic Subculture
Origin of Goth During 300 to 400 AD as the ancient roman empire expanded and it experienced several raids and invasions from semi nomadic people. Among the most powerful were the Germanic tribe called goths. In the 5th century, the goths overthrew the western roman empire. Hence, during this period the gothic tribe was described as barbaric in the roman historical records.
Coin of Odoacer who led the revolt for capturing the western empire
As roman culture began to fall, new styles arose. This change of style can be seen in the architecture. An example: Abbey of Saint Denis in France built in 1137. Its structure can be called as open, skeletal and ornate The popularity of this kind started spiraling down as the influence of Ancient Rome architecture increased.
Roman Goth
In 1550, Giorgio Vasari in his book “Lives of the Artists” described architectural styles similar to the abbey of Saint Dennis as GOTHIC. Now, Goth became a derogatory term which referred to barbarians who destroyed the classical civilization. (Roman Empire) In medieval period, the word goth was associated to darkness and superstitions.
Giorgio Vasari
In 1700’s the word GOTH resurfaced. It was used to describe a literary genre which was a darker stain of romanticism. The novel ‘The Castle of Otranto’ written by Horace Walpole and published in 1764 is described as the first gothic novel. Elements of this novel inspired several gothic literature and movies.
The subculture goth emergeged in the United Kingdom during the late 1970’s and early 1980s through the medium of music. The term gothic rock was coined by music critic John Stickney in 1967 to describe a meeting he had with Jim Morrison in a dimly lit wine-cellar, which he called "the perfect room to honor the Gothic rock of the Doors". Gothic adjective was used to describe the atmosphere of post-punk bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Magazine, and Joy Division. These bands combined gloomy lyrics and punk imagery inspired by victoriuan era and classic horror. Siouxsie Sioux the lead singer of the goth rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees is the first goth fashion icon. Some of the goth statement pieces of siouxsie Dark eye make up Fishnet stockings starkly drawn black brows pale face hot pink lips mane of shaggy hair] Siouxsie Sioux = godmother of goth Few other style icons include Robert Smith, Musidora and David Vanian.
Ideology Goth youth subculture has lasted, spread, and diversified as a contemporary subgroup in many countries. It emerged in the United Kingdom in the early 1980s as an offshoot of the punk rock scene. The ideology of goth is based far more on aesthetics and simplified ethics than politics. Spiritual, supernatural and religious imagery has played a part in gothic fashion, song lyrics and visual art. The subculture has associated tastes in music, aesthetics, and fashion.
Goth is a music-based subculture, the goth subculture is characterised by particular aesthetics, outlooks, and a "way of seeing and of being seen". The Goth subculture started in the late 1970s and early '80s when English Goth rock, a dark and somber offset of punk rock, was rising in popularity. Goth rock is noted by its hard guitars and its ominous and theatrical sound. The Goth subculture can be defined as lovers of Goth rock, Gothic literature, victorian and medieval history, and contemporary horror cinematography. Members of this subculture are often accepting and non-violent intellectuals who are sometimes just cynical of societal evils and have a fascination with death. They take pride in being distinct from mainstream culture, and their dark style of dress depicts their choice to separate from conventional norms and standards.
Gothic accessories In addition to the black wardrobes and the makeup that gothic girls and boys wear, there are some other things that they often use to add to their macabre appearance. Skulls are one of the most common motifs that you’ll find in gothic accessories. The skulls can come in a variety of styles, whether they are engraved on a bracelet or on the front of a shirt. Many times, you will also find skull rings or necklaces as an accessory to a gothic outfit.(Another popular accessory, especially among gothic girls, is fishnet)While black is the most common, dark purple and blood red are also common colors for gothic fashion outfits and accessories.
Gothic fashion is one of the more distinguishable characteristics of goths who are living this lifestyle.(Black is one of the more common choices among many goths)Outfits are often made up of layers of black. Black pants with a black shirt and a black jacket is a common outfit for a gothic teen. The black clothes tend to convey a mood of depression and, in many instances, a fascination with death.They are reminiscent of vampires and other entities that are not typically accepted by mainstream society.
The Gothic Clothing an d Appearance
Gothic Hairstyles While the clothes, makeup and accessories generally convey the gothic attitude and ideal, there are also some hairstyles that are commonly found among goths.There are generally two basic categories that gothic hairstyles will fall into – long and short.Many times, the hairstyles are gender-reversed, too, meaning that gothic girls generally wear shorter hair why gothic boys tend to wear longer hair.
Types of Goth Traditional Goths Imagine a black-haired girl or a guy dressed in unisex outfits, flaunting a mesh top, leather pants or a tight skirt, torn black tights and shoes witha huge platform. Pale skin, piercing, eyecatching make-up - this is a common portrait ofa traditional Goth.
Antique Goths This style includes outfits stylized to resemblefashion trends of the 18-19 centuries. The main features of antique Goths are lace, elbowslength gloves, long dresses reaching the floor, corsets, and veils. Men rock cylinders and tailcoats. This style reflects the elements of romanticism and neogothic.
Victorian Goth Victorian Gothic style is one of the varieties of the antique Gothic. Such outfits are suitable for Gothic balls, Victorian picnics, or photo shoots rather than for everyday wear. Nevertheless, the Victorian style or its individual elements occupy one of the most important places in Gothic fashion.
Gothic Lolita Gothic Lolita is another trend originated in Japan. gloomy girl dressed in gothic- style kneelength dresses adorned with frills, laces, crinolines, or pantaloons. black color is actively diluted with blue, purple, red details widespread accessories are decorative umbrellas, hats, and platform shoes with rounded noses.
Cyber Goth Cyber Gothic is a peculiar and quirky Gothic trend. This style harmoniously combines traditional Gothic and industrial elements in their outfits. The clothes are dominated by artificial fabrics, most often of bright acidic or fluorescent colors, over knee boots with extremely high platforms, and elements of cyberpunk culture
Tribal Goth Style is abundant piercings (nose rings, pierced lips, nipples), scars or brands. Sometimes they look like some kind of shamans. Jewelry-wise, they prefer heavy metal or silver chains, necklaces, and bracelets
Steam punk Goth Does not belong to the Gothic at all but a lot of Goths wear these outfits. The outfits are tightly fitting and sexy. Gothesses flaunt jumpsuits, mini dresses, corsets, crop tops, tight pants, etc. characterized by an abundance of accessories with fetish aesthetics, for instance, collars, bondages, handcuffs, and chains.
Gypsy Goth Gypsy Goths are exciting and beautiful in their own way. This style of clothing is characterized by wide maxi skirts and flamenco dresses witha complex structure. Gothic girls flaunt in blouses with wide sleeves and leather corsets. Common fabrics are velvet and lace. Preferred colors are dark blue, scarlet, burgundy, purple, dark green, and black. All the clothes are rather baggy.
Photo Journal
Goth Subcult ure
Goth is all about black, the outfit, the accessories. We have chosen black outfits with silver jewelry such as necklace, belt, ear rings and finger rings. We also have added royal red element for elegance. Boots have added more gothic look for our outfits. We have shown black thread, as it represents the spider web. It also shows how gothic culture is.
We have chosen Gothic culture as it is a very vast fashion subculture. 6 of us have chosen different types of gothic culture. We took inspiration from references and have matched the hairstyles and makeup according to the outfits.
Goth Subcult ure
The Gothic subculture is not a cult and Goth people have a different beliek and religions. Behaviour: Goths are peaceful. While Goths sometimes look scary, they are often auite friendly and are generally kind. They are less iudgemental and more open-minded than many other subcultures. Goths generally love mythology, the mysterious, the supernatural, culture, art, music, literature, film, fashion, philosophy, traditions, romanticism and nature. Goths are generally against violence and hate. And are for freedom of speech and religion.
We have done the ph otoshoot in an appropr iate background, where th ere is a slight fall of th e leaves and flowers an d depth of the trees. W e also have shown how gothic cultured people are, as in how friendly they are.
Credits 1. Making of the presentation- Manonmani 2. Study of origin - Ann Mary Wilfy 3. Ideology - Vishnupriya 4. Types of Goth and the behaviour- Mohana 5. Fashion and accessories - Laasya 6. Make-up for Laasya,Mohana, Manonmani and Ann Manonmani 7. Location spotting - vishnupriya,Ann,simran 8. Video editing - simran 9. Visual boards- Ann, Mohana, Laasya, Vishnupriya, Simran, Manonmani
Group members 1. J Manonmani 2. Ann Mary Wilfy 3. Vishnupriya 4. Simran Kumari 5. Bhoomi Laasya 6. Mohana Lakshmi