Alternative fashion

Alternative Fashion

Alternative fashion is fashion that stands apart from the mainstream commercial fashion. It is fashion that is different. In some cases it may be the fashion of a subculture, whether it be goth, hip hop, or maybe just influenced by subculture. Alternative fashion tends not to conform to commercial mainstream fashion. It is fashion from the fringe, and may often be more artistic, than practical (1). Some alternative fashion shows fuse fashion with music, art and performance (3) Alternative fashion is about clothing that lays down a challenge to accepted norms. Alternative fashion is less likely to be influenced by this season's looks, rising hemlines, or new blacks. It is more about a visual language that people employ to communicate with each other.(4) In the more general sense, the term "alternative" functions as somewhat of an umbrella term for a number of styles (be they fashion or subcultural), not homogenous, that share the fact that they are not mainstream (5) In London, Camden is an established centre for Alternative fashion shopping.

Media and commentary

The main magazine for Alternative Fashion is Alt Fashion, a magazine that grew out of the Alt. Fashion usenet. It is published quarterly and features alternative fashion designers, photos and information about events. It is published in the UK. In addition, more specific magazines, for instance Gothic beauty or focus on sub genres.

Events

There are a number of Alternative fashion shows, though generally they are not as prolific as mainstream shows. London has The Swatch London Alternative Fashion show. It has been running since 1996 and can feature up to 16 designers per day for the week that it runs (2). In North America, there is FAT - The Toronto Alternative Fashion Week: [FAT] is Toronto’s first-ever alternative fashion event, started in 2006. Melbourne, Australia has the Circa Nocturna: Melbourne Alternative Fashion Show, a yearly show that features a dozen or so alternative fashion designers. There are also alternative Trade shows, London Edge, and London Edge New York.

See also

• Goth fashion
• Elegant Gothic Aristocrat
• Cyber fashion
• Punk fashion

References

• (1) http://www.nocturnalinstincts.com/CN_new_FAQbodypage.htm
• (2) http://www.fuk.co.uk/events/alternative_fashion_week_2007_new_friends_and_trends
• (3) http://www.alternativefashionweek.com/main.php
• (4) Courtenay Smith and Sean Topham, Extreme Fashion - Prestel Publish London ISBN 3-7913-3175-2
• (5) Straw, W. (1991) "Systems of Articulation, Logics of Change:Communities and Scenes in Popular music" Cultural studies, 5 (3) :368-88

External

• DarkFashionLinks - community driven alternative fashion directory.
• http://www.circanocturna.com CircaNocturna Melbourne Alternative Fashion show
• http://www.camdenlock.net/fashion/alternative.html
• http://www.fuk.co.uk/afw06
• http://www.alternativefashionweek.com/main.php
• http://www.londonedge.com/
• http://www.altfashion.co.uk
• http://altfashion.blogspot.com/ - Alternative Fashion Blog