It was a scene that had many names: some original members referred to themselves as punks, others, new romantics, new wavers, the bats or the morbids. 'Goth' did not gain lexical currency until the late 1980s. But no matter what term was used, 'postpunk' encompasses all the incarnations of the 1980s alternative movement. Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace is a visual and oral history of the first decade of the scene. Featuring interviews with both the performers and the audience to capture the community on and off stage, the book places personal snapshots alongside professional photography to reveal a unique range of fashions, bands and scenes.

A book about the music, the individual and the creativity of a worldwide community rather than theoretical definitions of a subculture, Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace considers a subject not often covered by academic books. Whether you were part of the scene or are just fascinated by different modes of expression, this book will transport you to another time and place.

About the Author

Andi Harriman is a fashion theory and goth enthusiast. Marloes Bontje is a student of language, culture studies, and history.

Reviews

'Terrific photographs, a wide range of interviews, and an international perspective on the goth phenomenon make this an original contribution to the field of subcultural studies'

-- Valerie Steele, author of Gothic: Dark Glamour

'Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace is a visually stunning and touchingly personal account of the evolving postpunk and goth movements of the 1980s. [...] The curated combination of formal and informal portraiture creates a delightful sense of having been invited into some of the most personal, guarded and vulnerable moments within the postpunk and goth subculture of the 1980s. The images capture an almost tangible juxtaposition of the angst and joy of the 1980s postpunk and goth movements. Images of backstage and onstage theatrics combine with gentle, personal portraits to tell a fluid and very global story of change and transition. Flipping through these pages can lead the reader to believe that perhaps, even if just for a moment, they have been transported back to that very place and time.'

-- Renee Lamb, Fashion, Style & Popular Culture

'Wonderful images, some now bordering on nostalgia, merge into a seductive whole, with the text providing an imaginative delving into time and places ... haunting and inspiring ... comes closer to a distillation of being cool than any book I have seen'

-- Mick Mercer, goth and postpunk journalist

'This book is going to look very cool strategically placed on your coffee table. But I will warn you, if your visitors decide to pick it up for a flick through, they'll be far too engrossed for conversation.'

-- EGL Magazine, Keller



Book Information
ISBN 9781783203529
Author Andrea Harriman
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Intellect Books
Publisher Intellect Books
Weight(grams) 549g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 229mm * 14mm