Trends Missing from High Fashion Runways: Lolita, Psychobilly, and More

Do you feel empathetic to me in the fact that it is tiring and less than satisfactory to see the same trends circulating the runways every spring. year after year after year? Animal print, bohemian, floral print, and neutrals...can't we see something super edgy and different for once? Ironically, every spring the fashion reporters and magazines post articles that read something like this, "Animal print is in! Wow what a new trend!" Please! Do they really think that the readers of Vogue don't realize that the same trends are being recycled every year? Well, I can't speak for everyone but I can say that I am weary of the same old shiz in the fashion world...I want to see someone shake up the boundaries of the runways...I want to see something so out of the ordinary and subculture that it makes fashionistas take a step back and say, "Whoa...that is different!" Now, I realize that most trends and styles of clothing are influenced by other styles of clothing; however, I just feel that high fashion designers tend to go with the same exact styles every spring...and every other runway season, for that matter.

Couldn't we possibly see some rockabilly-style fashion shows? Or maybe steampunk? Or what about renaissance style? Heck, I would even settle for some nerdy style clothing lines. Here's my collection of styles that I would use as inspiration in my spring ready-to-wear line (if I had half the talent as these designers do!)

I have written other hubs on the Rockabilly and Psychobilly subcultures, which are some of my favorite genres of fashion. So, it's no surprise that I am including psychobilly as one of the trends that I greatly desire to see a high-fashion designer incorporating into their spring line. Sadly, not many fashion designers (at least not the big-time ones) take such huge risks; although, I can picture the wild and carefree Betsy Johnson using the Psychobilly look as inspiration. Though, I am not sure though how far she would stray from the actual, authentic psychobilly look.

Betsey Johnson always seems to bring an air of whimsy to all of her clothing lines and fashion shows; to the right I chose one of her outfits from her spring 2002 RTW line. This is the closest I feel that she has come to incorporating the psychobilly look....although, it does seem more punk all-around. I would love to see her implement such pieces as the girls at the poker table are rockin', like red pompadours, bright red corsets, knee-high leather boots, and tattoos galore.

I would more than love to see psychobilly incorporated into the high fashion runways...I would die for it! Zombies, werewolves and Frankenstein...oh, my! Let's see some psychobilly on the runway tonight! Maybe if all of the rockabilly and psychobilly ladies that are also fashionistas rallied together in an all-out psychobilly riot, maybe then we would get some attention from the haute-couture world. But maybe it wouldn't be the attention we really want...or would it?

It was a couple of years ago when I first learned of this new subculture called Steampunk. Many people have never heard of it, as I do not believe it's a huge trend yet. But I do wish it was on the runways, as it is a highly creative and futuristic style to be worn.

While sporting a futuristic vice, steampunk is also very much about incorporating pieces of the past. If you look at the picture on the right, these steampunk models seem as though they are preparing to take the first flight around the world...the word aviation pops into mind immediately. I would say the antique-like goggles and the man's leather flight jacket give off a specific old-world energy. You will also notice the old steam engine behind the models - which sort of reminds us of the old Wild West. The whole scene and point to this picture is to demonstrate to the world what defines steampunk; however, this picture falls flat to introduce some of the vintage yet futuristic gadgets that many steampunks incorporate into their wardrobe.

Now have gaze at the steampunk gadget-heart pin, just underneath of the first picture. This pin displays that vintage yet futuristic ambience that the picture above it sort of lacks. When we think of the word "steampunk", we should automatically think:  the industrial revolution...revolutionized ! Now if only we could get the haute couture and ready-to-wear designers to use this style as inspiration for their clothing lines!

I can vividly picture a D&G fashion show. Models tightly corseted with dark velvet and lace bodices, hair stacked high on top of their heads in a mess of ringlets and adorned with a vintage set of aviator's goggles, and their delicate feet covered in an antique-like pair of Victorian lace-up boots. How hott would that be? Will it ever happen? I do not know, but I am sure hoping that it will. In the meantime, I will keep watching movies such as, A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Golden Compass, in order to keep the steampunk dream alive inside of my mind.

The Japanese Street Fashion culture would take you by complete surprise if you have never seen or heard of this subculture before. Obviously it originates in Japan, where Lolita is one of the Street Fashion's many crazy faces. The style of Lolita can be described as child-like or doll-like, in entirety. You can spot the Japanese girls wearing dresses that look like blown-up versions of babydoll dresses, usually adorned with delicate lace or girly patterns (such as the merry-go-round print seen on the dress to the right). Mary Janes or flats of some sort are usually covering their feet and their hair could be in pigtails or in ringlets, sometimes topped with a miniature doll-like top-hat.

I think the main reason that most fashion designers don't dive into the Japanese world of street fashion is because it is very risky...and almost too child-like. Some have said that lolita is sort of a perverse style of fashion, as it encourages older girls to dress like they are much much younger. This whole style has its roots in the movie and book titled Lolita, having to do with a man who falls in love with a young girl...yes, I know, disturbing. However, in a weird way...I love this style! The puffy skirts, the stockings, the curly pigtails...what's not to love, right? Well, let's put the weird roots of the style out of our heads and see someone focus on the aesthetics of the look...sweetness and cuteness!

Okay, so I sort of made up my own trend here...it's kind of a Saved by the Bell meets Dawn of the Dead style. Think Zombies donning neon-colored, distressed outfits...that about covers it.

I would love to see a punked-out eighties vibe runway, with a mix of psychobilly zombie...I think maybe Betsey or D&G could cover this look with ease. It is a lot of twisted attitude with a little bit of cutesy and bright. Check out the teal socks from modcloth.com to the right. How perfect would neon colored socks be underneath of a brightly colored tutu? How about adding a psychobilly neon pink letterman jacket to top off the ensemble?

Why don't fashion designers think of this stuff? WE'RE SCREAMING FOR SOMETHING NEW AND EDGIER! And if we have to go Resident Evil on your *sses...we will.

We want to see Slater and Kelly...with a dead look to 'em. Like they've been laying in their graves for the past twenty years...simply to emerge from the ground for one fantastically dark fashion show. And Screech? Yes, let's see some grass and mud in his curly-nerd fro, still sportin' those geeky suspenders...but maybe tied around his neck!

Are you a nerd at heart? Well, I am...although most of the time, I hate to admit it! In spite of my nerdiness, I feel that there is a HUGE opportunity for an edgy and catching trend in the world of geeks and freaks. One of my favorite designers is Marc Jacobs, and the reason he is one of my favorites is because of his relentless quirkiness in his Marc by Marc Jacobs clothing line. Unfortunately, while Marc is one of the only designers that favor a thrift-store-esque style, I still do not feel it is nerdy enough.

I'm talking straight DORK...suspenders, thick-rimmed glasses, maybe some high-topped chucks with Star War shoestrings. That is the epitome of a trendy chic GEEK. As you can see to the right, Marc's Spring RTW line is pretty close...but still no cigar. Have a look at some of the geeky items I found on etsy.com. They have a whole section of Geekery! Marc, if you are reading this...add some accessories like these to your clothing lines! All of the geeks, nerds, and dorks out there will love you forevermore!