Keeping The Skull Alive Research Paper

Keeping the Skull… Alive. Fashion has way of recycling and reinventing itself, and like many fashion trends, there is a rich history in how the symbol of the skull has continued to renew itself in mainstream fashion. Whether you incorporate the skull in an outfit to express a gothic look or a classy style, or whether you chose to wear the skull stitched on the back of a cashmere sweater or embellished in funky jewelry, it is evident that the skull is a symbol in fashion that is attractive to a diversity of consumers.
But how can it be that the skull, a symbol of death originally worn by pirates to intimidate and ward off intruders, has become such a popular trend? Perhaps the image of the skull inspires the evocative ideal where endings,
However, with so much freedom on the Internet and an increase in fashion blog sites, the opposite can occur. Thus, Gaimster suggests the more recent reality of “trickle-up theory”, in which trends are started on the streets among lower socioeconomic groups and subcultures—such as bloggers, or anyone who has access to a camera and the Internet. These trends are “spotted and used by designers for inspiration, finding their way onto the catwalks and then into the upper classes of society” (Gaimster 110). With a somewhat ambiguous understanding between whether the elite or the lower class and subcultures inspire new trends, “we can agree that some styles develop in one or more sections of society and the cross over into others (trickle-across theory)” (Gaimster 110). Essentially, the different ways in which a symbol or logo, such as the skull, is incorporated into an outfit may vary according to social group or geographic
According to Indiemode journalist Elizabeth Jones, “Mass media and song artists have recently popularized skeletons, skulls, and cross bones— and ‘death’ has therefore prominently influenced couture” (indiemode.co.za/blog/skull-fashion). Take for example, rock and roll stars including the likes of the Rolling Stones band members who have thrived on somewhat outrageous fashion statements of gothic, punk, and pirate genres of styles for many years. Since the phenomenon of the Rolling Stones’ edgy style in the 1980s, other rock bands and solo artists, such as The Grateful Dead and Paramore, have kept the style of skulls associated with rock music alive. Joss argues, “The symbol of the skull is no doubt one of rebellion and spontaneity, and they convey a certain wildness and originality in celebrity fashion,” which can explain why celebrities find this symbol so appealing (indiemode.co.za/blog). Media platforms, such as magazines and blog sites, photograph these rock artists and celebrities wearing this skull-like fashion, thus inspiring fashion designers and consumers to also approve of the