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Who would have thought goth subculture was reserved for Hot Topic mall rats and angsty high schoolers in films?
Rooted in the music of the ’80s rock scene, the gothic style was popularized by music groups like Joy Division and Bauhaus. Since then, the culture has continued to diversify in taste with punk, gothic literature, horror movies, makeup, etc.
Over the years, there’s been a range of gothic icons from celebrities, to fashion designers, to artists, as well as muses. Let’s take a look at our favorite gothic icons:
Angelina Jolie
Angeline Jolie in Disney’s MALEFICENT
Photo Credit: Film Frame
© Disney 2014
The award winning actress ditched frilly dresses in the ’90s and 2000s, adopting a rocker aesthetic by donning full black leather and band tees. As the eponymous Lara Croft, Jolie sported heavy black combat boots and an all-black leather suit.
Rick Owens
Industrie No.1: Get Fit With Rick
Photo c/o Kacper Kasprzyk
Paris-based, American fashion designer Rick Owens is known for embodying anachronism in his clothing pieces and incorporating a monumental minimalist aesthetic. Owen’s line has made an impact on hip-hop style and street goth. The line has created a cult following that includes A$AP Rocky, Drake, Kanye West and Jay-Z.
“A black trench with a sharp shoulder, a black loose cashmere turtleneck, black poplin track pants, my black trainers and a black nylon Eastpak/DRKSHDW bucket bag can pretty much take any guy anywhere. At worst, you might be mistaken for an architect.” -Rick Owens
Yohji Yamamoto
Photo courtesy of highsnobiety.com
Paris and Tokyo based, Yohji Yamamoto is a Japanese award-winning fashion designer, well-known for his avant-garde tailoring and design aesthetics.
“Everyone tries to be Yohji, but Yohji is Yohji. He creates with a purity and an understanding of cuts that surpasses anyone’s. He is a genius.” – Donna Karan
Ann Demeulemeester
Ann Demeulemeester
Photo courtesy of liberty.co.uk
A member of the Antwerp Six, Ann Demeulemeester is known for her monochromatic silhouettes. The dark color palette in her pieces, cut perfectly into masculine drapes.
“Black is not sad. Bright colors are what depresses me. They’re so… empty. Black is poetic. How do you imagine a poet? In a bright yellow jacket? Probably not.” – Ann Demeulemeester
Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang
Photo c/o WSJ Magazine
Named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, Alexander Wang showcased an all-black collection at this year’s fall Fashion Week.
“Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing.” – Alexander Wang
Rei Kawakubo
Rei Kawakubo in Tokyo, 2005.
Photo c/o EIICHIRO SAKATA
Rei Kawakubo changed the face of women’s fashion with her Japanese avant-garde aesthetics, creating an uproar during Paris fashion week back in the 1980s. Creator of the label, Comme des Garçons, Kawakubo incorporates androgyny and heavy, black austere pieces in her designs.
“I work in three shades of black.” – Rei Kawakubo
-by Sunny Tsao