I was sitting discussing the gothic scene in Norway with my fiancè yesterday. And we both wondered about how the fashion has changed, at least here in Norway. Where did the baby bats go? Where did the velvet goths disappear to? Some random thoughts about how things have changed, and why.

Images (C) blackwaterfall.com

A few years ago, in Norway we had what has described as the Nemi-wave. Those who don’t know Nemi, she is a cartooncharacter made by Lise Myhre, a gothic girl in Oslo. Check her out on in English on Metro. Suddenly, the overall age in the scene went from 30 to 18. In english the teen-goths are called baby-bats, and in Norwegian they got called fjortisgoth. Fjortis is a term used for silly teens, hehe.

When I think 2-3-4 years back in the gothic scene, this is what I think of: Black and white striped stockings, tutus, dresses with lace and ribbons and poofy pretty skirts, bondagepants, shirts with lace and ribbons, elegance, black roses, red wine, poetry, candlelight… The “real” romantic and elegant gothic, men and women with loooong, silky, black hair, black eyeliner painted with pretty swirly things, New Rock shoes for the men, elegant high stilletos and high heeled boots for the ladies. Chokers, white skin, long opera gloves… Where did it go? Why did people stop thinking it was cool to hang out in graveyards and old churches?

Where did the people who loved elves and fantasy, who played roleplaying games in candlelight drinking red wine on a saturday night go? The cute geeks who quoted Anne Rice Lord of the Rings and called themselves Arwen and Lothlorien in chatrooms and forums? When did Eden Prosper stop being the ultimate gothic ideal? When did razorcandi take her place?

Even the cybergoths have disappeared here in Norway. When did you last see someone dressed in bright fluorecent colors and plastic?

Most goths now are dressed in a way that is a mix between deathrock, punk, industrial and with some cyber thrown in there. Layers of fishnet and stocking, skinny jeans on both sexes, corsets and pvc-skirts… The hair is back-combed, the DIY-attitude is big, the shoes are chunky platforms in PVC and leather. I really love that style too, I do, but where did the “real” gothic style go? Where are the elegant men and women dresses in mourning attire? The baby-bats have been replaced with emo’s and scenekids, who is so cute, but simply just not the same as a little 15-year old running around with a New Rocks, a Nightwish-tee and black and white stockings.

What Im really curious about, is if this is a Norwegian phenomena? Is there any brits or americans out there who can tell me if it’s like this in your countries too?

Quick recap…

Old ideal, the beautiful, elegant Eden Prosper:

New ideal, the raw, stylish Razorcandi:

All pictures are (C) their original owners and models

There is no doubt though, both styles (and ladies) are awesome, but I really think there should be more classical goths!