Punk Fashion

Punk fashion is the clothing, hairstyles, cosmetics, jewellery, and body modifications of the punk subculture. The punk era was heavily influenced by other subcultures of that time including glam rock, skinheads and mods. Punk fashion is a way of making a statement and its controversial nature has become more and more commercialised over the years.

First bought to mainstream fashion by designer Vivienne Westwood, punk clothing, became mass produced and sold in record stores and some smaller specialty clothing during the 1980s. Many fashion magazines and other media have featured classic punk fashion.

Vivienne Westwood and the Punk Era

Punk fashion was hugely set off by designer Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McClaren in the early 70’s. The two rebellious characters opened a shop, where Westwood began to sell her designs. The punk era included bondage clothing, safety pins, razor blades, bicycle or lavatory chains on clothing and spiked dog collars for jewellery, as well as outrageous make-up and hair. Westwood and McLaren worked together to revolutionise fashion and their impact is still strongly felt today.