In the course of the last few years, there have been countless trends that have adorned themselves with the label "Gothic", but without really making the leap into the subculture. People just try things out. At the centre of such phenomena is always the internet as a gigantic multiplier and catalyst that can make trends known all over the world within days or mercilessly destroy them in a short and violent shitstorm. Most gothic trends disappear into the abyss of oblivion, but some leave traces in scene cultural memory. Which of these trends could be the next big thing?
Health Goth: Has nothing to do with health, but with a sporty-luxurious lifestyle of rich fashionistas. Porsche sneakers, superfluous black sports accessories, bionic body parts and prostheses gathered on a Facebook fan page that was picked up by a French women's magazine and dragged into the light of day. The health-goth style was born and - before it could spread - was already over.
Hippie Goth: The nature apostle among the goths loves plants and animals offensively, is a fan of a nature religion, at least vegetarian and wears black health sandals with a black-dyed linen skirt. An offshoot that is doomed to fail because health, nutrition and nature are not predominant themes in the Goth scene.
Fetish Goth: With a rubber ball in the mouth and a dog leash on the neck, the fetish Goth is performed by the partner. For this type, BDSM is not just painful theory, but evening occupational therapy. Rubber pyjamas provide the perfect tightness. In the gothic scene, the saying is almost unanimous across all sub-scenes: Fetish Goth, go home! Goths' sex lives are not reflected in their outfits. And in general, people don't like exhibitionism so much in the dark underground.
Geek Goth: He is the nerd among the goths, well versed in all things scientific, technical and paranormal. Star Trek and pop culture are a must and he has more tech on his black shelves than the electronics store around the corner. Not just a trend, but a goth offshoot with a future, because technical progress, science fiction and pop culture fit perfectly into the scene. Live long and prosper!
Bubble Goth: Singer Kerli Koiv, who says she makes the beautiful creepy and the creepy beautiful, is considered the founder of the bubble goth trend. She considers herself a goth, but her music exudes the charm of raspberry chewing gum. Her fans love her bubble goth and declare their affiliation to the movement with three dots on their foreheads.
Emo Goth: Emos do not belong to the Goth scene. They have a different origin. Emos give free rein to feelings and appear sad and depressed. That is already the only common denominator that can be constructed. Otherwise, they don't look like goths, they don't feel like goths and yet they are called goths. Sad!
Commercial Goth: This Goth has never heard of a do-it-yourself movement and is completely incapable of putting together his own style. He trusts the outfit suggestions of big labels that suggest subcultural belonging without him having to go the hard way of his own taste. There was, there is, there always will be!
Gothabilly: A thoroughly serious music and clothing trend from the USA that dabbles in the interpretation of gothic novels, horror films and splatter movies. Actually, it literally makes fun of them. Gothabilly looks like an Elvis Presley dragged from the grave and put into a gothic outfit as a walking corpse.
Vampire Goth: Since fangs can be deceptively implanted in the mouth, the vampire goth is booming. Everywhere, elongated incisors flash their next victims behind blood-red lips. Anne Rice is to blame, for she planted Lestat and Louis in the gothic consciousness. And dentists are to blame too, for they blithely join in. Don't try this at home, goth kid!
