Era Style: Mods (and Skinheads)

The mods were young, well dressed, probably rich urban dwellers that frequented 60's London whose style is the quintessential "clean" look. Its really funny how such a select group of people influenced the style of so many subsequent generations. A mod was originally identified as having well tailored clothing that fit close to the body. As with any style, bands adopted and conversely influenced their listeners' style. An obvs mod band (at least in the beginning) were the Beatles:



Skinny black tie? check
Tailored Suit? check
Mop top? check

The Jam (more on revival side), Small Faces, and The Kinks also adopted the style:


The Jam


The Kinks


Small Faces

The mods disappeared, but their style continued to be adopted by those into Northern Soul/Skinhead movement, Third Wave Ska and subsequently this new crop of Brit Rock (as I call it):

First! A clear up on what I mean (and it really does mean) by the term "skinhead". This issue perturbs me. I had a boss a whiles ago that schooled me on where exactly the term came from and what it evolved into. Jamaican immigrants who immigrated to the UK in the 50s and 60s met with working class youths. They had shaved heads, and in a show of unity, British kids shaved their heads as well, hence "skinheads". They went to dancehalls and listened to reggae. Yay! This was in stark contrast to the Mods, of whose style I am currently proclaiming the virtues of, who could afford to get fancy Beatles-esque haircuts. I'm sure it was way easier to shave ones head. Anywhooss, time passes and these low income youths were recruited sometime in the 70s by the National Front, who are duh... racist. Its so crazy that a look that defined unity among the lower class, no matter what race, was turned into the fashion of a white supremist movement. Its so sad that this look is associated with racism (wtf... why couldn't they stick to their white dressrobes with tall hoods). A typical skinhead look:


Cute! He's got a scooter! (hope he's not racist)

Hmm... the link between mods and skinheads you ask? Progressivism of the mind and social welfare. Mods were interested in beatnik philosophies (existentialism) and skinheads (and later punks) were interested in social progressivism to improve their living conditions.

Anywhooss, history lesson aside, here are some more mod looks I love:


I love this look updated, but I hate cheaters! Die Jude Die! (I mean really, did you SEE that nanny)


Miss Mod herself, Twiggy


Jean Shrimpton + Lambretta = Mod


Fav new mod: Laura Hollins

Ska kiddies with mod style influence:


The Specials


Fred Perry - a fav of mods and skinheads


Neil Barrett


DSQUARED


Dirty Pete lookin' sharp


Ben Sherman

I kind of loathe baggy clothing, it exudes... sloppiness. Therefore, mod tailored or skinhead skintight is some of my favorite elements to include in an outfit.
Next time I'll tackle punk, mod's dirty cousin.

Velocifero

Some of you may wonder, "what happened to Ladytron?" "Are they still together?" "Are they still making music?" "Will they ever go on tour again?" Well those questions can be answered. For the past couple of months, they have been hiding out in Studio de la Grande Armée, Paris recording their new album Velocifero. They have collaborated with Alessandro Cortini from Modwheelmood and NIN and Vicarious Bliss from Ed Banger Records. After recording, it was then completed and mixed in Los Angeles with Michael Patterson who has worked with Beck and P. Diddy.

I look forward to listening their new album which will be released in June 2008, and especially because they have worked on this album with one of the finest people in the music industry. Hopefully the music will live up to the people they have worked with, and will compliment the works they have done in the past.

They will officially start their tour in Europe on April 30th and will continue to tour Europe until May 16th. Then the North American Tour will kick off on May 20th until July 4th. Find the nearest place they will be playing and find a ticket!

Click on the link below to hear their newest track from their new album Velocifero called "Black Cat". It is available for download on their MySpace and official website.

For official tour dates click here: Ladytron

Music and fashion

I've always thought that fashion and style originates on the streets. Fashion and music go hand in hand because they are all forms of expression and they way people present themselves (blah blah blah), so who started it first (because this is the quintessential question for one upping the person next to you)?
I'm not sure.
Evidence:



Refused
I remember the first time I saw the video for "New Noise" and I thought "Oooo... Dennis is a fine dresser" with his kind of high water black skinny trousers and black sweater with the white button-down inside and just a hint of a black tie. Its a classic style, but where'd he get the idea to dress this way from? Certainly not from his earlier incarnation as grungy Swedish teenager. Ugh. It was minimalist, like their music aesthetic. So this, I feel is the music influencing fashion, most definitely.



Conversely, an obviously recent trend is epitomized in the Cool Kids.
Of course they are going to look like they walked out of 1992, they are 1992. In 1992, they were watching Barney just like everyone else (don't get me started on light blue jeans and neon colours). They grew up, figured this was a great way to show what era they felt was the best and mimicked it. Is this necessarily a bad thing? Not in all cases. If you're going to dress like a particular scene that has fallen by the wayside and been recycled yet again into fashion, don't get the most obvious things and "mix it up" or whatever with something present. No one wants to be so authentic that they look like an extra on Saved By the Bell. I smell eau de new rave coming off of this pic.

In short, I find its quite easy to predict what a person listens to by the way they dress. Puhlease don't give me that "ooo... I'm so more dynamic then what you're labeling me as" stuff. Then DRESS more dynamic.

JUSTICE - DVNO

The music video for Justice's mix "DVNO" is out directed by So Me/Machine Molle. With the video, you can now catch onto the lyrics and what he's really saying. For example, I did not know he says "no offense" in the beginning. But I still do not know what "DVNO" means.. Whatever. Check it out. It's creative and catchy as always.

Justice - DVNO

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Steak

So, new film out with some of our favorite musicians starring, directing and composing the film score as well. Quentin Dupieux, also known as Mr. Oizo, directed this movie about teenagers in the future who get plastic surgery to fit in. Uhhhh... so while I haven't seen the movie (and its already received terrible reviews) the talent outside of this film is great. From previews, it reminds me a little bit of A Clockwork Orange, with the outfits, gangs, drinking milk, beating people up. Who cares! Kavinsky and SebastiAn are in it, 'nuff said.

The standout track from the film is "Chivers as Female" by Oizo, SebastiAn, and Sebastien Tellier (0f Air). Watch it, don't watch it, but DO listen to this: