Agyness Deyn- A Modern Day Punk Icon?
With the 1980s having a huge fashion revival of late, we thought it was high time to look at how the world of music has influenced fashion and vise versa. This month, we're looking at punk.
Punk fashion first started to take hold in the 1970s, during the era of the Sex Pistols who championed the tartan, Dr. Martens and safety pin look to perfection.
Theirs was a look of pure rebellion and freedom, influencing all those who listened to their music and making cropped, spiked-up hair fashionable, after a decade of the beehived cut ruling the roost.
The original origins of punk fashion was based on Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's designs, as well as drawing inspiration from punk icons, the Ramones and Patti Smith.
Punk became a symbol of anarchy in the late 70s, with offensive T-shirts, leather jackets and customised blazers all becoming popular with punk followers. Controversial slogan tees also became something of a fashion staple, along with ripped jeans and tight leather trousers too.
Biker boots were the popular choice of footwear during the 70s, although later on Dr. Martens in red and battered black were the only boot to be seen in. They were often worn over tight patterned trousers in either tartan or leopard print.
The Mohawk hairstyle was only for the most extreme of punks, although David Beckham did give it a revival a few years ago, I think it's fair to assume he's not really into the whole punk thing as a rule.
For those hardcore punks, however bright Mohawks in pink, green and orange was seen as making a huge statement and was followed as such. Those who did not go for the full look simply dyed their hair, or shaved patches of it off to create a new style.
Punk rockers of the 70s were also extremely inventive with their fashion, using everyday items to create new looks, such as razor blades for jewellery and dresses fashioned out of bin bags.
We could do with taking lessons from the punks from yesteryear if you ask me, especially with the recession really starting to hit the world of fashion now. Having to make-do is something we've not experienced for over a decade, so perhaps this could be a good chance to learn something from the punk generation?
The 1980s saw punk fashion go in a slightly different direction, with it becoming more hardcore and political in some cases, particularly in America. Over in the UK however, much of the punk fashion was influenced by heavy metal and bands such as The Exploited, Subhumans and Charged GBH.
Whist jeans had been ripped in the punk fashion of the 70s, this new decade explored paint splattered and bleached denim, teamed with leather skirts and chain belts.
Women in particular latched on to this new punk look and took it to the extreme, shaving their entire head and just leaving a tuft visible as the front. It was almost as though the gender roles set out in the 50s and 60s ceased to exist and women wanted to experiment with their new found freedom through punk fashion.
Like most things, Punk fashion has experienced many revivals over the years, with designers drawing inspiration from its original roots and reinventing it.
For example teaming feminine dresses with masculine blazers and Dr Martens, like in the original punk days was seen on the catwalk for AW08, as was cobweb jumpers and tight leather trousers.
Ripped jeans and customised blazers have also made appearances on the catwalk this season too, and the revival of new-rave neon will be a huge look for the summer, as was originally sported in the 1980s punk era.
Agyness Deyn has almost become a modern symbol for punk, with her colour clashing, messy blonde crop and general masculinity when it comes to experimenting with fashion.
Aggy's pal, designer Henry Holland revived punk in his own way two seasons ago, with his massive oversized slogan T-shirts, neon jeans and day-glow sunglasses.
Taking style notes from The Clash, House of Holland was firmly up and running thanks to that collection and those who had not experienced punk the first time round, were able to update it for the 00s.
Check out the history of punk rock music here