Gothic Fashion at Olympics Closing Ceremony

I think it's safe to say that Danny Boyle brought some of the edgiest style to what many dubbed the Rock n' Roll Olympics.  However, creative director Kim Gavin and production designer  Es Devlin have earned the title of the "Fashion Olympics" in bringing out some surprising Goth fashion to the closing ceremonies...

First, my beloved Pet Shop Boys rolled out in bright orange origami-like carts dressed in dramatic Gareth Pugh.   Next, Britain's supermodels strutted out custom gold gowns made by British fashion designers like Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.  

Finally, Annie Lennox entered the stadium like a vampire queen.  She descended down from a massive black ship into a chorus of dramatically clad dancers.  The dancers were dressed in gorgeous voluminous gowns in period silhouettes.  The heavily shadowed eyes, black lace, corsets, skulls and bustles were distinctively Goth.

Ok Brasil, London has set the bar pretty high...What will you do to follow that?

Photos by Phil Noble (Reuters), Jeff J Mitchell (Getty)

Gareth Pugh - Summer Rooftop Goth

NYC has been hit with record high temperatures and unbearable sun.  Those are not exactly the ideal conditions for Gothic fashionistas, but it didn't stop them from supporting Gareth Pugh's launch of his M.A.C. cosmetics collaboration.

The season-defying black-clad guests at the New Museum's patio enjoyed having their nails in done in various wicked shades of off-black.  Many wore the designer's label.  Pugh's nails himself were a witchy iridescent green and purple. Vampire-worthy crimson lips kissed cheeks while clueless pastel-clad tourists passed by below.

Gareth Pugh had previously collaborated with M.A.C. for his "Goddesses from the Grave" runway show in 2010.  One of the reasons the designer created this line was to that there would be a product with his aesthetic that was accessible to everyone (pricewise, style-wise, etc.)  The cosmetics packaging will be a special edition in his signature palette of black and grey and will hit stores in November.

Photos By Steve Eichner

Gareth Pugh's Haunting Fashion Video for Pitti Immagine

Gareth Pugh is one of my favorite edgy fashion designers.  He presented in Italy for the the first time at Pitti Immagine #79 by showing a haunting fashion film he created with Ruth Hogben.

The images draw from religious iconography and Florentine opulence, and the film was projected onto the ceiling of a 14th century church.  The music was a spooky mix of deep piano horror riffs, searing violin, or  epic religious themes.   The clothes ranged from body-conscious and erotic, to flowing, avant-garde silhouettes.  Oversized feathers were involved, though I'm not sure if they were more accessory or prop.

Here are some stills from the film above, you can watch the full video here at showstudio.com .

Images from Gareth Pugh

Gareth Pugh Fall 2010 - Techno Goth Fashion

If you are a regular reader, you must be used to my love for this bad boy designer. Dark, edgy, unapologetic. His recent collection had severe, sculpted cuts, part alien/part cyber armor. There were a few looks that had thin, dripping, web-like fringe. The male and female models were almost androgynous, with the slicked down hair and pale lips. The clothing was sexy and flattering...I couldn't wait to get to the soiree and wrap myself around them all!

Gareth Pugh 2010 Springtime for Male and Female Goths

What do dark, Gothic fashion designers create for a season where all other contemporaries are producing neutral, light and pastel colors? A talented designer adapts. For Gareth Pugh's Spring/Summer 2010 presentation in Paris last week, he featured light, androgynous male and female models Fairer Carpathian princes (Lestat, Prince Vigo from Ghostbusters 2) rather than your standard jet-haired, velvet clad noir types. He used all shades of grey in various textures, conveying a wind blown, ghostly look, or cold and demonic. The make-up was equally stark, the eyes were done to look piercing and cruel. The silhouettes were absolutely lovely, the sculpted jackets, artfully shredded gowns...

London: Un Ballo in Mascara at the Royal Opera House

Earlier this month, at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, Queen of Drag, Jonny Woo with Deloitte Ignite presented 'Un Ballo in Mascara'. The festivities included what many concluded to be the highlight, the "Vogue Ball". A riotous collaboration with cabaret group Bourgeois and Maurice, this runway, cabaret, and drag celebration showcased many of England's most beautiful and talented boys... The glamorous celebrity judges included the likes of diva Beth Ditto and Gothic Fashion hero Gareth Pugh. Dark fashion, couture, and other themes were represented well in different competition categories.

Photos by AbsolutQueer Photography

Gothic Couture - Kambriel Made to Order

There are plenty of mainstream designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Gareth Pugh and Alexander McQueen who catch press when they send a vampy collection down the runway. However, few designers of Gothic fashion have what it takes to make a name and respectable reputation on the genre alone.

Kambriel on the other hand, has been a featured designer at the FIT Museum, chosen as Gothic Beauty Magazine's designer of the year, and hired to create outfits for celebrities like Margaret Cho, the Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer. Each piece is exquisitely tailored and inspired by historic and cultural influences like Edward Gorey. Mistresses and gentlemen will find deliciously detailed garments ranging from vests to kimonos, gowns to frock coats. Many are one of a kind, and you will have a wonderful time exploring all the scrumptious photos on her website.

Gareth Pugh Fall 2009 Gothic Fashion Video

British fashion designer, Gareth Pugh exhibited his dark chic collection for Fall with an avant-garde video instead of a runway show. When interviewed on his choice, Gareth explained that he finds sending a girl walking up and down the catwalk "a little half-assed, for lack of a better word. It's a well-trodden formula and I think it's time for a change."
The collection had ensemble after ensemble of diaphanous black chiffons, flowing in inky swirls, futuristic silhouettes and web-like tucks and pleats. I must agree, luxury fabrics and unusual shapes are more effectively shown when you have the flexibility of film and effects. Some more stodgy fashion editors were not as enthusiastic. Perhaps that's the difference between the seniors who prefer live theater versus the younger generation awed by the effects of digital movie screens.