Wednesday 19 December 2012

BORN THIS WAY

The View of A Little Monster



















Ellie became a fan has soon as she heard Lady Gaga’s first single “Just Dance” – she ran to her friends house to introduce her to the song “you have to listen to this song, it so cool!” A first Ellie struggled to remember her name for the first few months and then Lady Gaga blew up to be the pop sensation of the year; from then on Ellie followed her career. When I asked Ellie why she was a fan of Lady Gaga she told me “the fact that she’s not really scared of anything – and she just does what she wants… is not afraid to be who she wants to be.” This has inspired Ellie to be herself, not in the sense of the crazy fashion, but in the sense that she has made peace with who she is, become her own individual.

Ellie hasn’t experienced any strong reactions from the public, when she has told that she’s a massive Lady Gaga fan, on the other hand her friends get’s tired of her when she keeps going on about her and tells her to “shut up”.

Ellie is proud to be a part of the Little Monster community and also has her own profile on the littlemonsters.com social platform. Where she mainly showcases her artwork. She really wants Lady Gaga to see one her artworks.

 

Her impression of the platform is that fans are very extreme – “Gaga or nothing.” Ellie also uses the platform to connect with her fellow monsters, which she has met at the different concerts. Ellie also once made a jacket in contribution to Lady Gaga. Ellie illustrated the portrait of Lady Gaga herself. Isn’t she an amazing artist?! Then she spent a following 12 hours queuing so she could get to the front at a concert. She saw the sunset and -rise. The aim was to get into the Monster pit, which she unfortunately didn’t get into “which I was really gutted about it…”



















































We ended up discussing other fans crazy costumes, inspired by Lady Gaga’s music videos. I asked Ellie, if she would ever take it to that level; “maybe, but I still like to be my own person and not just try and recreate her look…”


She also recognizes the fact that Little Monsters has become a worldwide phenomenon and doesn’t mind when I stamp the group as a subculture.

Ellie went to the Born This Way Ball on her own, she was extremely nervous, but quickly came to relax when she arrived – as the people she met was friendly and immediately accepted her and if felt like she’d known her fellow fans forever.
During my time researching Lady Gaga and her fan base, I’ve come know that the fashion can some times be extreme, but everyone seemed to have their own individual style in my eyes, but Ellie enlightened me: “it’s usually a lot like leather, denim spikes… I don’t know, you can kind of usually tell, but I can’t really explain it – I can be like OMG they like Lady Gaga! They usually wear a badge with her face…” According to Ellie the definition of the Lady Gaga fan base is individuality… and a lot of gays!
Ellie is opened minded about music and listens to everything from Beethoven to Kanye West to Lady Gaga. “If you like Gaga, you’re not just stuck in Gaga zone.”
Some fans “go really psycho if you even say one thing, like ‘I don’t like what she’s wearing, what is she doing?... then they just go way, way to over the top. You get extreme fans and then normal fans…. Its so different, they eat, breathe, sleep Gaga – you can’t say a bad word about her… I guess it gets a bit extreme.”
Ellie classes herself as a ‘normal’ Gaga fan – “you like, what you like and you don’t like, what you don’t like.”

Ellie shares the same political views as Lady Gaga, as she focuses on letting people being their own person, without having to be judged.
What’s unique about Lady Gaga is that she is relatable. Ellie was bullied at school, for not being in the it-crowed and following the fashion trends in high school. Therefor she was isolated for some time and then her Dad brought her tickets for a Lady Gaga concert for her 16th birthday. At the time she wasn’t “crazy” about her, but as soon as she saw her preform - “oh my goodness”. From then on Ellie started to blossom into the individual and independent person she is today.

I was hoping to find out if there was any secret underground meeting spot for the LM, but besides the concerts the fans don’t tend to meet up. Ellie was joking about the fact “it must seem like we’re a cult, praying to Lady Gaga!”

The general reaction to Lady Gaga is “mental”, from the massive protests in Asia, which got her Asian tour cancelled to when her perfume launched in Harrods, London, and people went crazy when she turned up two hours late.

Has Lady Gaga revolutionized the pop industry? “Yeah, everyone knows her, everywhere. Either her music, her outfits or what she stands up for.”

Ellie all time favourite song is ‘Bad Romance”, as its different to her previous singles before she released that song. She like all Gaga’s versions of her own songs from; theatrical performances on stage to her acoustic versions by the piano.    


I get the feeling that individuality is the key word when it comes to Lady Gaga and her Little Monsters… extreme and sentimental also comes to mind. 

Little Monsters

Little Monsters are all ages, from all social classes and comes from all over the world.  
Little Monsters originated back in 2009, while Lady Gaga was preforming her second album The Fame Monstershe used the term to refer to her fans. The name suited the fan base as they would crawl and scream just like monsters.
  
Unlike most subcultures, this subculture didn’t come from a specific movement in our society. It stems from a group of people coming together, because they all have one thing in common - their love of Lady Gaga, not only when it comes to music, but also fashion, political views, philanthropy and her overall creative spirits.   

Lady Gaga aka Mother Monster, encourages individuality, so in most  of these everyday LM they can dress very low-key and even seem anonymous in our communities. The transformation happens when all LM meet up at the balls (concerts) - they find their either alter ego or their true selves. They often dress up in costumes that has been inspired by the Mother Monster's music video outfits. They get the change to express themselves freely without being judged, as they are all in the same boat - they feel strong and united together.  




When it comes to the music they listen to, it becomes pretty obvious: Lady Gaga! I'm sure that these Little Monsters, listen to other musicians and genres, but the most played album on the iPod is guaranteed to be Lady Gaga's latest.  

In their spare time Little Monsters like to interact with other Little Monsters via various different social medias. At this current time Lady Gaga as 32,037,615 followers on Twitter! She also launched her own social media site called Little Monsters in July 2012. Here all the Little Monsters can share their sentimental feelings, if they've had a really bad day or a fantastic day. If someone has had a bad day, they will cheer them up. They post their Ball outfits, fan related art and tons of Lady Gaga images. They exchange tutorial methods on how to create a Gaga inspired garment or accessory piece. One big Little Monster community! 

The public reaction has been quite strong towards the Little Monsters. Even the Mayor of London Boris Johnson seems to be a fan!




Lady Gaga, ended up canceling her sold-out show in Indonesia, as disrupted protesters from Islamic and Christian group had come with hard treats and called her a "devil worshipper". 
"Defenders Front said Lady Gaga's sexy clothes and provocative dance moves would corrupt the youth. They vowed to turn out at the airport by the thousands if Lady Gaga arrived. Others said they bought tickets so they could wreak the havoc fro inside the 52,000-seat stadium in the capital, Jakarta." - www.telegraph.co.uk 

So there are mixed feelings about Lady Gaga, but also her fan base Little Monsters to say the least. 

Wednesday 5 December 2012

MOD Presentation


* Mod - late 1950s to early-to-mid 1960s.
  • Fashion.
  • Music.
  • Motor scooter.
  • Amphetamine.
  • Mod revival in late 1970s.
  • Politics.
  • James Dean.
  • Mass consumption.
  • Supermarkets.
  • Holidays.


 










·       Common misconception they wore parkas with loads of badges.
·       Originals followed the less is more aesthetic, smart suits, mohair clothes, thin ties, button down collar shirts, wool and cashmere jumpers, pointed winklepicker shoes, Chelsea boots, bowling shoes.
·       Some Mods went against gender norms of the era by enhancing their appearance with eye shadow, eye pencil or even lipstick. – Very image conscious people.
·       The song ‘Dedicated follower of fashion’ by The Kinks pokes fun at the Mod’s obsession with fashion.
·       Only wore parkas to protect nice clothes on their scooters.
·       Most important fashion accessory, scooter.
·       Cheap, accessible transport (got them on payment plans, cheaper than cars), public transport stopped early so they needed a way to get home after clubs and dances at night.
·       Scooters were chosen over motorbikes because scooters' use of bodypanelling and concealed moving parts made them cleaner and less likely to stain an expensive suit with grease.
·       An image which represents Mods in the media, turned negative after events like events like the November 6, 1966, "scooter charge" on Buckingham Palace and the 1964 beach riots. Mods riding scooters together were intimidating and were seen as a "menacing symbol of group solidarity".
·       Normally Vespa or Lambretta
·       Preferred Italian ones due to their clean lines, curving shapes and gleaming chrome.
·       They were described as the "embodiment of continental style and a way to escape the working-class row houses of their upbringing".
·       Loved all things European.
·       MODs came from the Teddy boys of the early 50’s, were very much ‘Englanders’, Mods thought of themselves as Modern and this meant embracing everything from black American Rhythm and Blues to Italian cuisine.
·       Lots of their look was based on European style. The suits they wore originated from slick Italian designed;
·       Hair was in the style of actors from nouvelle vague cinema.
·       Very controlled style, slicked back, cut quite short.
·       Nouvelle Vague, French cinema movement in the 50’s and 60’s, seen as cinema for the youth. Ties in with the fact Mods were a youth culture, new concept in those days, Teddy boys’ first one, only 10years earlier.
·       Girls of the movement.
·       Some women also had disposable income there was a raise in women’s clothing boutique jobs.
·       Dressed up to go to work, so felt the need to look cool, glamorous.
·       Highlights the commercial mind set of Mod’s, people had disposable income after war so they could afford to buy more clothes etc.
·       Had the same smart clean aesthetic as the men. This meant they could wear these clothes to work, home, school. More than other subcultures.
·       Key things worn by women were: Androgynous short haircuts, men’s trousers or shirts (sometimes their boyfriends), flat shoes and minimal natural looking make up.
·       I was like this until Mod fashion became more mainstream, and the look, whilst still being minimal, became a little more glam.
·       Women icons were: Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton
·       The slender model figure came into fashion.
·       Jean Shrimpton, subject of photographer David Bailey’s famous New York vogue shoot, style/times changing to youth culture. – A good bbc program on it.
·       Twiggy’s classic make up look, with painted on eyelashes became popular, can also see slicked back short hair (like men’s).
·       Made miniskirts popular. Mary Quant.
·       Straight boxy shift dresses and skirts.
·       Young Mod women pushed parental tolerance, new things, nothing worn that short before, inappropriate.

·       Shops of the time:

·       Carnaby Street:
You can still see Mod logos now in the windows, union jacks and RAF roundel symbols.

·       Mod revival of the 1970’s and 1980’s – created stereotype we know today.
·       Where the parka Mod comes from: Parkas, Harrington jackets, and polo neck shirts (Fred Perry)
·       Lots more casual, less slick and smart.
·       Had stickers on scooters and when law was passed saying they must have at least one mirror on scooters, lots of mirrors covering them, so don’t follow the less is more style.





MOD Presentation

Music, Clubs and Drugs.

·      Early MODs are known for listening to African American Soul, Jamaican Ska, British R&B and Blue Beat.
·      British R&B was performed by bands like the Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Animals.
·      The music was called blue beat because thats what the record label that produced most of it was called.
·      The influx of carribbean immigrants at the time had a big impact on what music they listened to. Its said that the relationship between the two groups and their music interest helped to break down race barriers and reduce tension within London.

Play examples of Music.

Early MOD Music. - More mellow
MOD revival music. - More rocky, to match the time.
MOD Style music now. - More mainstream.

·      Original MODS on London frequented clubs like The Roaring 20s and The Flamingo.
·      The Flamingo in soho, 33-37 Wardour Street, played british r&b and jazz. The fans of that music would meet together no matter when skin colour.
·     With its increasing popularity there were many performers who graced the stage at Flamingo, including Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.
·      In the 60s the club was well known for its all nighters where the club opened until 6am on fridays and Saturdays.
·      The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix were all regulars.
·      The club closed in the late 60s.


·      Apart from clubbing, socially a lot of MODs spent there time listening to music with friends, learning new dance moves, riding around on their scooters and shopping for the latest clothes.

·      Drugs were also big part of their recreation with Amphetamines (speed) being their drug of choice. Pre-1964 the drug was actually legal. They took it on nights out to make them more alert and to help them appreciate the music they were listening to more.






Mods and Rockers did not get on. Rockers thought Mods were effeminate, stuck-up or snobbish. It was a common jibe that they "couldn't tell the birds from the blokes". Mods thought Rockers were old-fashioned, dirty, greasy and uncouth. However, there was not an all out war between the two tribes.

Mods and Rockers rarely met, except for Bank Holiday weekends in Margate, Brighton, Hastings and Southend and football games from 1964 onwards. Their violent clashes were constantly and sensationally reported in newspapers such as the Daily Mail.

The first such incident was at Clacton on the Easter Bank Holiday in 1964. It was reputedly one of the worst Easter Bank Holidays on record: cold and wet. The Easter Sunday was the coldest for 80 years. Groups of youths arrived at Clacton for the Bank Holiday break. They were bored and frustrated and rumours were circulating that a local café was refusing to serve them. Violence broke out between different groups, which was reported sensationally in the national press.

The scale of the disturbance and the violence was exaggerated. However, from now on the 'Mods and Rockers' phenomenon was born. The question in the press and for local magistrates was, 'which town would be next?'

In 1964 Mods and Rockers clashed at Margate, Hastings, Bournemouth and Brighton at Whitsun and August Bank Holidays. Once again the actual events were grossly exaggerated in the media.








MODS today

·      The Gallegher brothers
·      Paul Weller
·      Bradley Wiggins.

·      Lots of clothing that was worn during the MOD period has been recycled into todays fashions. A lot of people still wear Fred Perry, Khaki Parkas are still in fashion too. Tassled loafers are also quite popular at the moment. 
·      Although there arent that many true MODS left, there are a lot of older men, 40s that have adopted this style.