Punk phenomena

CBGB, the institutional bar in Manhattan’s Lower East Side that was to become the birthplace of punk and underground rock and which catapulted to fame acts such as The Ramones and Blondie, may have closed down after 27 years of alternative activism, but it doesn’t signify that the style semiotics it partly inspired and encouraged aren’t also about to peter out as just another footnote from the annals of fashion.

Punk rock fashion lives on, and continues to draw followers as more and more youths are beginning to embrace its individualistic, almost-defiant requisites. The most recent reincarnation of the punk rock ensemble takes on a more glamorous undertaking – less of the Vivienne Westwood/Betsey Johnson overkill and more of the patent-adorned, metal-laced fixation as seen in Balenciaga and Dolce and Gabbana’s recent spring/summer collections. Punk fashion has matured somewhat, eschewing acid colors and thorny ‘dos for textured black and cause-driven (personal or patriotic) slogan tees.

But punk fashion’s original purpose is still very much in evidence. Punk music was called "street rock" before it fully took flight (and fight) in the ‘70s and its missive was clear: "Come as you are and do your own thing." No rules to follow or to break. You can mix designer duds with flea market finds, wear the most luxurious footwear with the skankiest lace tights, pair High Street with swanky boutique pieces. And top it all off with DIY accessories. As long as the message is there. Never mind if nobody else understands.

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