Alternative fashion

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Please improve this article if you can. (April 2007)

1 Alternative Fashion
2 Media and commentary
3 Events
4 See also
5 References
6 External

[edit] Alternative Fashion

Alternative fashion is fashion that stands apart from the mainstream commercial fashion. In some cases it may be the fashion of a subculture (ex: goth, hip hop, industrial, cyberpunk, etc.) or simply influenced by a subculture. It is fashion from the fringe^[1], and may often be more artistic, than practical (1). Some alternative fashion shows fuse fashion with music, art and performance. (3)

Alternative fashion is about clothing that lays down a challenge to accepted norms. Alternative fashion is less likely to be influenced by this season's looks, rising hemlines, or new blacks. It is more about a visual language that people employ to communicate with each other.(4) In the more general sense, the term "alternative" functions as somewhat of an umbrella term for a number of styles (be they fashion or subcultural), not homogenous, that share the fact that they are not mainstream (5)

In London, Camden is an established centre for Alternative fashion shopping.

[edit] Media and commentary

The main magazine for Alternative Fashion is Alt Fashion, a magazine that grew out of the Alt. Fashion usenet. It is published quarterly and features alternative fashion designers, photos and information about events. It is published in the UK. In addition, more specific magazines, for instance Gothic beauty or focus on sub genres.

[edit] Events

There are a number of Alternative fashion shows, though generally they are not as prolific as mainstream shows. London has The Swatch London Alternative Fashion show. It has been running since 1996 and can feature up to 16 designers per day for the week that it runs (2). In North America, there is FAT - The Toronto Alternative Fashion Week: [FAT] is Toronto’s first-ever alternative fashion event, started in 2006. Melbourne, Australia has the Circa Nocturna: Melbourne Alternative Fashion Show, a yearly show that features a dozen or so alternative fashion designers.

There are also alternative Trade shows, London Edge, and London Edge New York.