Many people would like to deny the importance of fashion in sub-cultures. Even anti-fashion is, well, fashion these days. It is important to note that fashion itself is more than just a way to cover our collective skin. It is a way for like-minded individuals to find each other. It showcases inner feelings and personal beliefs, as well as likes and dislikes. Goth has long been a fashionable scene, at least to those inside its dark walls, but for the last eight years creativity seemed to be lacking in many people’s wardrobes. The Hot Topic chain in America has made “the look” of Goth into a cheaply purchasable commodity. The Internet has also made it very easy for just about anyone to find a store selling badly made, hokey Gothic clothing. The old skool DIY aspect of Gothic was all but dead in the mid and late 1990’s. Why bother being creative when you could purchase someone else’s ideas rather cheaply? Patent leather and PVC almost became a mode of dress unto itself. In the late 90’s I thought I was going to be smothered by it, as fetish style became the only Gothic style. It was a case of the unimaginative inferior becoming the only option by default.

In the last two years I have finally seen a return to the DIY aesthetic. Goths are still purchasing expensive and inexpensive clothing alike but it is the customization that is the star of today’s show. From homemade clothing and reworked items to unique accessorizing, the fashions of the Gothic movement are more diverse than ever. Many Gothic companies will work with you to custom make items. Australia’s Gallery Serpentine, Canada’s Starkers!, and America’s Yosa are just a few of the wonderful companies out there today.

From England, Cobblers To The World Transmuters shoes have inflamed a whole sect of CyberGoths. Technology-crazed Gothic individuals who dress in a fashion forward way using unconventional items and materials to accessorize can define CyberGoth. Many people create their own panels for these amazing shoes. The superbly well made shoes lend themselves to customization and they have sparked so many varied and individual ideas.

The European “My Little Pony” look that Boston’s Lady B introduced to America in the form of “PonyFalls” have become, to one degree or another, a staple of the female Gothic wardrobe. Many companies now specialize in these hairpieces like Divaluxe, Ragdoll Weave Co., and Beautifully Chaotic. A whole ezboard has sprung up to help in the sharing of ideas. Everyone there takes the existing information and customizes it to no end. It is truly spectacular. One interesting thing to note about the addition of fake hair is that underneath it all, many people have traditional Goth haircuts like the mohawk and the “long in front, shaved in back” blunt cut.

While all these elements are adding to the ever growing tapestry of Goth they seem to, at the same time, be creating a fervor for DIY that has not been seen since the likes of 1983. The triumphant return to old skool Goth is on the horizon. I predict that, along with these recent aspects of creativity, scene members everywhere will begin to embrace the past like nothing before. The 80’s are back in the United States and for those who remember good music and great style, the old will influence the new. And both are truly relevant. Goth may have been hibernating the last few years but in my book it has been reemerging better than ever. Goth is my mistress and I will treat her as she deserves in this new century.