Leanne Mangan
Alongside the better known “all black” trad goths, are ones who still have a dark alternative aesthetic but like to throw the black into even more sharp relief by injecting colour.
I’m one of them. Hi! I’m Leanne, long-term fashion blogger and ex-fashion editor of Fiend Magazine (Sydney).
I joined the goth scene in the early 2000s and am still here! Here are some of my style influences.
I do still love an all-black outfit, especially when layers and textures are piled on via corsets, harnesses, d-rings/hardware, spikes, faux fur, velvet, tulle, pvc, fishnets and platform boots.
But there’s also something really great about a bright neon green paired with shiny black pvc and black and white stripes – the Tim Burton aesthetic if you will. Seen in the wild a lot around Halloween time, alongside orange and purple.
I have WAY too many striped shirts, jackets, dresses etc but what I love is that this look is something so many guys and theys in the goth community wear as well - we show the normies that showing off isn’t just for the femmes.
Cyber Goth & Rave
I was SO influenced by cybergoth and cyberpunk looks in the early 2000s, wearing silver pvc, shiny patent leather or pvc in many colours, and installing ribbed plastic tubing and plastic lacing in my hair alongside the now-ubiquitous cyberlox.
Cult labels back then included Dane 3001, Cyberdog, Artifice Designs, Allycat Metalware and some Lip Service lines. Here in Australia we had Gallery Serpentine in Enmore, and in Melbourne, Vicious Venus doing cool cyber gear, as well as many independent aussie fashion peeps like Matt Bylett, Andi Chrisst and Leah LeLash.
Purple and lilac remain two faves of mine, particularly effective in cyber goth outfits.
I got married at Big Day Out
I got married back in 2005 in a purple pvc fishtail skirt, purple and reflective silver corset from Vicious Venus, purple dreads, purple veil and tiara with lilac gems. It was on the Lilypad stage at the Big Day Out, with the theme that year being the Wild West. We were billed as a shotgun wedding, so Dom wore a gunslinger outfit – together we gave Westworld vibes.
Tokyo Gothic
I was influenced in a major way by the Japanese goth and club scenes, tweaking the trad goth Victorian look by adding big ruffled neckpieces/jabots, mini hats, coloured circle lenses, circus motifs like spots, harlequin and argyle print and elaborate make-up and wigs. My fave designers were h.Naoto (Black Peace Now etc), Alice Auaa, Kikirara Shoten, Dangerous Nude and Sexy Dynamite London.with the theme that year being the Wild West. We were billed as a shotgun wedding, so Dom wore a gunslinger outfit – together we gave Westworld vibes.
There were also dabblings in the military look (a perennial that never looks old), Steampunk, psychobilly/rockabilly, Fairy Kei and Gyaru (more japanese trends) and now I just pick and choose.
High Fashion
While not able to afford them, I’ve always been inspired by runway looks from the likes of Gaultier, Galliano, Rick Owens, McQueen, Yamamoto and now designers like Robert Wun. I like seeing if I can grab shape and volume ideas from them to incorporate in my club looks. I highly recommend you do the same!
Blitz Kids
Finally, I’m inspired by other clubbers, and especially those who follow in the footsteps of the punk and Blitz kids from the UK scene in the 80s, who embraced colour and weirdness generally and created their own looks instead of following trends.
I love that we have events to dress up for, that prompt us to experiment with things we like til we find what feels really us. Thanks to all the club organisers for shepherding a scene that is a true community.
Other creative outlets
Outside of clubbing, I’ve done a bunch of performing, in plays, musicals and short films, as well as standup comedy. I’ve studied screenwriting at AFTRS and NIDA, made two short films and created a number of cabarets for Fringe Festivals. Happy to collaborate with other creatives, so hit me up!