Written by Katlyn Mozingo, photos by Lauren Rose

Models: Morgyn Taylor, Morgan Green, Katlyn Mozingo

Makeup and styling by Jocelyn Samatmanivong and Cassidy Leighty

The burnished finish beaming from heavy silver chains, chunky charcoal-colored boots, and a tightly fastened foundation of black leather around one’s waist are all elements identifying gothic fashion. As we capture the essence of modern Gothic style, we must also explore its formation stemming from medieval architecture and art. Modern Gothic fashion can be executed in several forms without the more cruel elements present in medieval Gothic culture. 

According to Gothic Revival, Revived, Gothic art is difficult to portray due to how broad the cultural influence is. Architecture and art are the origin of the Gothic. Gothic Revival, Revived describes the elements of architecture from the Gothic period as “...groundbreaking in terms of engineering...they show an important progression in our ability to create man-made environments. If you didn't have Gothic, you wouldn't have skyscrapers.” 

Medieval Gothic style can be described as dark lace, leather corsets, burnished jewelry, and usually longer articles of clothing. Southern Gothic can be described as an extrinsic form of Gothic fashion due to its familiarity. American Horror Story season three: Coven displays Southern Gothic fashion as there are shorter length dresses, dark hats, laced gloves, and sun umbrellas. A popular form of Gothic fashion is the Modern Goth-rock. Modern Goth-rock can be visible through spiked hair, dark platform boots, ripped clothing, black netting, and heavy, silver chains.

Architecture and art are the roots of Gothic style, but how did modern Gothic style evolve into what it is today?

From it’s beginning, modern Gothic style has had close ties to music and other forms of self-expression. The modern Goth aesthetic we’ve come to be familiar with as black clothing with metal adornments arose in the 1980s as a part of the Gothic rock music scene.

There are many descriptions of Gothic fashion and how it influences trends and character. Character is a part of self-expression and modern Gothic fashion, as seen with many artists such as Rico Nasty, a rapper with a punk aesthetic that can be seen wearing large collared spikes around her neck and spiked out hair. Other artists who have been known to express themselves with Gothic-inspired attire include Billie Eilish, $uicideboy$, Lil Peep, Ghostemane, XXXTentacion, etc. Gothic fashion is not only represented in the music industry, but by social media influencers as well. Influencers like @grimvr, who encapsulate vampire-esque Gothic fashion, @Maggielindemann, who draws from punk rock and heavy metal Gothic fashion, and @emmaxnoir, who showcases subdued vampire-inspired Gothic fashion.

Gothic fashion is constructed of self-expression and radiates vehemence. It will continue to evolve, but for now, it seems that traditional Gothic style holds a softer aesthetic than the haunting and loud punk/Goth form we tend to see from popular artists and influencers. 

Nevertheless, there are many ways that Gothic fashion could be heading with its current forms. Different variations of Gothic fashion in the future are now incorporated into traditional street clothes. From the leather corsets to the dingy silver chains. The future of Gothic fashion is more than traditional clothing, it is about persona. The power that is created when wearing Gothic fashion translates to fiery and influence.