Random fashion thoughts

Very thoughtful question. And, yes, I was, wasn't I.

Originally Posted by Rye GB

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Current trends to note 2006-2009: ... Goth Ninja: Expensive aesthetic when done well, a lot of cash to spend to look like a comic book villain. ...
This is a really recent development, the only trend except for the stupid preppy thing, that started as late as 2006. I bought a house and moved recently, and have been looking through my archived fashion magazines, lookbooks, linesheets, etc..., which date back to about 1999, and a lot of the Goth Ninja designers that date back past the last few years were either on some other trip, or were worn in completely "normal" ways. For example, I saw a few pictures of Carpe Diem boots worn with what looked like very cool track bottoms and some sort of white jean jacket, and CCP was making wierd clothes like turtlenecks that were meant to be worn with ties (2001, I think). Rye probably remembers all of this. I think that I'll blame Atelier, and their "all black" philosophy for the ****** pseudo-philosophical claptrap that seems to be popular with people who enjoy wearing all black, (see "French Intellectual") Rick Owens has been doing it forever, and Julius has been doing a flashier version of it too, but I remember that these designers used to be worn in less cartoonish fashion. Or sometimes, in ways that would make the stereotypical ninja goth cringe. Theodore Man in Beverly Hills used to carry Ann Demeulemeester, and it was clearly meant to be worn in a very LA rock-and-roll style. Haha. I want to see someone wearing an Ann Demeulemeester leather jacket with some True Religion jeans and Mark Nason boots and a True Religion fedora post on Stylezeitgeist. Meh, call me old and bitter. Edit: Oh crap, I just remembered that back in 2002 or so, there was no Undefeated, or rather, the pair that owned KBond was just starting it. ****, no Nom de Guerre either.

Originally Posted by LA Guy

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I think that I'll blame Atelier, and their "all black" philosophy for the ****** pseudo-philosophical claptrap that seems to be popular with people who enjoy wearing all black, (see "French Intellectual")

What is the de facto nomenclature here? I know SZ people sure as hell don't call themselves "goth ninja".

Originally Posted by Rye GB

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That statement was in regard to my own recent purchases, I have enough of an archive to mix and match something a tad more eclectic.

You've got the range and poise to pull it off, the rest is just about buying what you like the most.

Originally Posted by tagutcow

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What is the de facto nomenclature here? I know SZ people sure as hell don't call themselves "goth ninja".
I often wonder that. But I think they just eschew labeling themselves. After all, they aren't really part of a fad or trend--they are each special flowers.

Originally Posted by LA Guy

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This is a really recent development, the only trend except for the stupid preppy thing, that started as late as 2006. I bought a house and moved recently, and have been looking through my archived fashion magazines, lookbooks, linesheets, etc..., which date back to about 1999, and a lot of the Goth Ninja designers that date back past the last few years were either on some other trip, or were worn in completely "normal" ways. For example, I saw a few pictures of Carpe Diem boots worn with what looked like very cool track bottoms and some sort of white jean jacket, and CCP was making wierd clothes like turtlenecks that were meant to be worn with ties (2001, I think). Rye probably remembers all of this.

I think that I'll blame Atelier, and their "all black" philosophy for the ****** pseudo-philosophical claptrap that seems to be popular with people who enjoy wearing all black, (see "French Intellectual")

Rick Owens has been doing it forever, and Julius has been doing a flashier version of it too, but I remember that these designers used to be worn in less cartoonish fashion. Or sometimes, in ways that would make the stereotypical ninja goth cringe. Theodore Man in Beverly Hills used to carry Ann Demeulemeester, and it was clearly meant to be worn in a very LA rock-and-roll style. Haha. I want to see someone wearing an Ann Demeulemeester leather jacket with some True Religion jeans and Mark Nason boots and a True Religion fedora post on Stylezeitgeist.

Meh, call me old and bitter.

Edit: Oh crap, I just remembered that back in 2002 or so, there was no Undefeated, or rather, the pair that owned KBond was just starting it. ****, no Nom de Guerre either.

Editorials have styled this either the way you describe or in a very dark way depending on the years, the "goth ninja" aesthetics is up or down but brands remain. In 2006 goth was big, it was back 2 seasons ago. In between they style differently but Ann, for example, remains pretty consistent over the years. Of course I'd argue she's NOT goth-ninja in any way....

Originally Posted by mulansauce

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I often wonder that. But I think they just eschew labeling themselves. After all, they aren't really part of a fad or trend--they are each special flowers.
Well there are about as many people who differ from that style as those who conform to it so it would be stupid to call the forum "goth-ninja". If you look at Hobo (new member, Polyanna's owner Marc) you can't really say he's goth-ninja. Knowing him a little bit I'd say he's more of a biker/UK bum/fan of artisanship all rolled into one. There's some menace but it's not goth and definitely not ninja.

I wasn't speaking about the forum as a whole (or even at all)--just the folks who happen to subscribe to the goth-ninjaish aesthetic. That's what I think cow was asking: Since "goth-ninja" is usually used as a pejorative, what do the goth-ninja types (regardless of their forum affiliation) actually call their own style?

Originally Posted by Fuuma

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Editorials have styled this either the way you describe or in a very dark way depending on the years, the "goth ninja" aesthetics is up or down but brands remain. In 2006 goth was big, it was back 2 seasons ago. In between they style differently but Ann, for example, remains pretty consistent over the years. Of course I'd argue she's NOT goth-ninja in any way....

Yeah, I remember all the editorials for FW06 for about vampires. iirc Dior Homme did a lot of capes and cloaks. Of course, you don't find guys buying lock stock into such an extreme image unless it is brilliantly merchandised, and for this I blame Atelier (Archive is really Johnny come lately.) I blame Atelier for a whole bunch of guys styling themselves like anime villains and writing as though they were Ask Andy refugees who got way too deep into Goethe.

Disclaimer, I like Atelier and the stuff they sell, though I like Alan Bilzerian's eclectic presentation better.

Originally Posted by mulansauce

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I wasn't speaking about the forum as a whole (or even at all)--just the folks who happen to subscribe to the goth-ninjaish aesthetic. That's what I think cow was asking: Since "goth-ninja" is usually used as a pejorative, what do the goth-ninja types (regardless of their forum affiliation) actually call their own style?

Why would they need a name? The brands and style is pretty well defined outside of the murky borders so everyone can identify it pretty well. I dunno, not really a goth-ninja myself. I'm dressed in full black now but it's Lanvin/CCP/RO so I'm not sure it counts.

Originally Posted by LA Guy

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Yeah, I remember all the editorials for FW06 for about vampires. iirc Dior Homme did a lot of capes and cloaks. Of course, you don't find guys buying lock stock into such an extreme image unless it is brilliantly merchandised, and for this I blame Atelier (Archive is really Johnny come lately.) I blame Atelier for a whole bunch of guys styling themselves like anime villains and writing as though they were Ask Andy refugees who got way too deep into Goethe.

Disclaimer, I like Atelier and the stuff they sell, though I like Alan Bilzerian's eclectic presentation better.

Well I'd blame the *** store and 2006 styling too but the way I see it:


L'Ã claireur: artisanship/exclusivity/designer's designers
The library: ballin', creative types
Atelier: goth-ninja
Bilzerian: who the **** shops there?? Older guy I guess but they have a good buy, I just don't know who wears it. Boston is a style wasteland, Barneys couldn't sell fan favourite like Lanvin and Ann so forget about CCP and MA+

i don't get ann d. too feminine. really don't get the appeal.

Originally Posted by thekunk07

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i don't get ann d. too feminine. really don't get the appeal.

More romantic than feminine, older collections had an aggressive edge that is sorta getting diluted now. Last show I was at was weird cause the people that liked it were like gaylord Vogue editors and I while the goth-ninja raged. It was more Miami+boxing than 19th century poets.

Originally Posted by Fuuma

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Why would they need a name? The brands and style is pretty well defined outside of the murky borders so everyone can identify it pretty well. I dunno, not really a goth-ninja myself. I'm dressed in full black now but it's Lanvin/CCP/RO so I'm not sure it counts.
No need for a name--I don't have any ready label for the way I dress either. I was just curious if there was some secret nomenclature I wasn't hip to since I don't lurk there too often. Also, I don't really discuss such matters outside fora, so I'm never quite sure how prevalent certain badges are outside the internets. For instance, if you were to mention the term "goth-ninja" to the staff of Atelier, would they have any idea what you were talking about (assuming they weren't internet savvy and had never visited SZ or SuFu, etc)?

Originally Posted by Big Punisher

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Just saw their website. Looks like a good mix of stuff I'd actually like and douche wear. And they have like 3 store locations?

It's mostly douche wear with a smattering of decent stuff. But seeing how douchebaggery is quite popular here and dressing well is not, a lot of the good stuff makes it to their outlet which is at least 50% off.