Death rock fashion

From Academic Kids

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An example of a deathhawk

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Johnny Slut, from the band Specimen, exhibits death rock fashion

Death rock fashion is the distinctive style of dress associated with death rock music. The look was first popularized by Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Robert Smith of the Cure as well as other first generation goth rock bands such as the European bands Virgin Prunes, Specimen, Alien Sex Fiend, Xmal Deutschland, etc.; California death rock bands Christian Death, Voodoo Church and 45 Grave; and to a lesser extent new wave/new romantic singers Madonna, Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics, Deborah Harry of Blondie, Adam Ant, etc. and glam rocker David Bowie.

Horror movies, especially zombie movies, have also been a major influence on death rock fashion.

Currently, death rock fashion occupies the middle ground between punk fashion and gothic fashion, but with a darker, sexier and more deliberately (and glam influenced) androgynous look than punk fashion, and a more casual, tattered and DIY look than gothic fashion.

Whereas a punk would have a hard time blending in a Goth club, and a Goth would look out of place at a punk concert, a Death rocker would have little trouble fitting in at either venue.

Death rock fashion is characterized by layered black and bright white (not ivory or off-white) clothing which is frequently tattered or deliberately ripped; blood red accent pieces and adorned with death rock band pins; and a death rock patch - the initials "D" and "R" along with two initials indicating the wearer's geographic location, such as "C" and "A" for California, or "N" and "Y" for New York.

Typical Death rock fashion clothing items include black jeans or tight black pants; black leather motorcycle jackets covered with death rock band pins, band patches, and death rock album covers painted onto their backs; tight black bondage pants and short bondage skirts; black lace tops and black lace skirts; black, white, or red tights or fishnet stockings; black, red or white fishnet tops; horror movie or band t-shirts; and near mandatory Dr. Martens boots.

Death rock fashion accessories include extensive use of death rock band pins and horror movie pins as well as horror themed or influenced accessories such as earrings, wristwatches, rosary beads, lunch box purses, chokers, etc. all featuring human skeletons, skulls, bats, Christian crosses, etc.

Multiple belts including a bondage belt with chain dangling through the hoops are extremely popular. Also popular are more punk influenced accessories such as skinny black neckties, safety pins, spiked leather dog collars and pyramid studded belts, bracelets and chokers.

Death rock fashion make up (for both males and females) has strong horror movie influences, especially zombie movies. This make up emphasizes deliberately pale and un-suntanned complexions (with some death rockers taking the look so far as to use "whiteface" make-up); either black or blood red lipstick; dark eyeshadow applied both over the upper eyelid and underneath to create a sunken or sickly look; and heavy black eyeliner. Fingernail polish (when worn) is usually black, black and white, or blood red.

Death rock fashion hairstyles can vary considerably, including both short and long styles on both men and women, but most frequently death rock hairstyles have a '50s or '80s influence, especially '80s big hair. Death rockers who do not keep their natural haircolor either bleach their hair to either platinum blonde or a near white; use Manic Panic or another semi-permanent hair color to produce vibrant reds, blues, turquoise, etc. haircolors; or simply dye their hair very deep and unnatural looking black.

Betty Page style bangs, oftentimes coming to a point in the middle of the forehead, are very popular for females, especially when combined with a shoulder length or chin length bob.

One favorite death rock hairstyle for both males and females is a variation of the mohawk called a deathhawk. The deathhawk is noticeably wider than it's punk cousin, and is teased or backcombed to produce a softer, sexier look. Another death rock inspired variation of the mohawk is the "bi-hawk", a mohawk kept shorter and split down the middle. The bi-hawk may be spiked out to either side, and was popularized by the band Specimen.

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