Vivienne Westwood and her partner Malcolm McLaren arranged an elocutionary revolution- a reprisal against the wide lapels and flared denims that ruled in 60s. Through several iterations their small store fixed an unprecedented relationship between fashion, counter-culture and music which shaped generations of fashion designers who followed. Unimpressed by the hippie fantasies both of them began hocking kitsch's of 50s.
Fascinated by 50s Rock n Roll, both preferred Chuck Barry and Elvis over rock-pop. By 1971 they expanded their small store to a big one and transformed it into “Let it Rock” where they sold reinterpreted renditions of Teddy Boy fashion. This style, which had returned to England after WWII, was composed mainly drainpipe pants, of brightly colored zoot suit & thick sole creeper.
Meanwhile McLaren started managing the “New York Dolls”, who played a major role in the proto-punk movement. They influenced greatly despite their quick demise. They used to play hard, fast loud & aggressive. McLaren seize this opportunity and fitted them in all red uniforms, reminiscent of Soviets when they performed.
After “Let it Rock” shut down McLaren and Westwood reopened it with a new name “Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die” and shifted their focus on the disgruntled youth. With influences such as James Dean and Marlon Brando while their new store still had a look on the past, heavy distressing and the slick leather jackets fit in well with the proto-punk movement that was quickly crossing the pond.
The new store stocked ripped black t-shirts fixed with safety pins & revolutionary words like ROCK, SCUM and PERV painted across the chest. Vests had zippers directly over the nipple and pants were adorned with glitter glue. They also attached bleached chicken bones to certain pieces. They were aiming to recreate the rebellion youth heroes in the here & now. Westwood painted how wild people were dressed in front of an insurable debt in the middle of Chelsea, and the results were surprisingly prophetic.
With the evolving proto-punk, from a niche sub-genre to a serious musical movement, both McLaren and Westwood entered deep into the subculture. They opted out for neon-coloured hair & tight spandex which populated their neighbourhood. While the burnt T-shirts and tight latex were key items the shop’s main commodity was punk itself.
People like Sid Vicious, Johnny Rotten and Mattlock used to pay a regular visit to their store. By the late 'seventies when Punk kicked into high-gear, it was not a store any longer but inextricably linked destination with the scene as leather and dyed hair and Westwood and McLaren were styling and managing the most successful punk act in the world. The couple managed to dictate the punk aesthetic, dominate the charts, airwaves and streets simultaneously.
Buy Womens Gothic Dresses at Dark star by Jordash. You can also explore a wide range of Ethnic and Alternative clothing here.
Comments
Post a Comment