Grunge sub-culture born in Seattle and music genre was created by Tina Marie-Bell which later swiftly shifted the popular aesthetic in an altogether angstier direction. And who, in their thrifted fuzzy cardigans, rare band tees and worn-out Converse, sat at the heart of this movement? Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, of course.
Galil, Leor (February 16, 2022).
Kurt Cobain's Life
Kurt Cobain ascent to fame was rapid. Nirvana formed in the late 80s and by 1991, the band’s second album Nevermind had achieved major commercial success, with its lead single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” fast becoming an anthem for misunderstood teens everywhere. They toured extensively, put out a third album, In Utero, and would ultimately become one of the best-selling bands of all time. In the space of just a few years, Kurt had gone from an unknown kid in small town Washington, to one of the most famous musicians in the world.
Cobain's Fashion
As Nirvana’s frontman, Cobain, who died 20 years ago this past weekend, was at the epicentre of grunge, a movement that revolutionised the cultural landscape of the 1990s, and one that continues to reverberate in fashion and music today. Cobain pulled liberally from both ends of a woman’s and a man's wardrobe, and his Seattle thrift-store look ran the gamut of masculine lumberjack workwear and 40s-by-way-of-70s feminine dresses. It was completely counter to the shellacked, flashy aesthetic of the 1980s in every way. In dishevelled jeans and floral frocks, he softened the tough exterior of the archetypal rebel from the inside out, and set the ball in motion for a radical, millennial idea of androgyny.
Kurt Cobain at New York MTV Unplugged 1994
Kurt Cobain in a floral dress April 27th 1990
Cobain’s Influence on today’s culture
The grunge fashions of the 1990s continue to make a comeback as a fun homage to the decades that came before. It’s also a fantastic way to capture the restlessness of youth. Many fashion critics credit designer Hedi Slimane with reviving interest in the grunge aesthetic with his fall-winter 2013 menswear collection.
Tumblr 2014 once ushered in an era of dark grunge themes, affording Generation Z the opportunity to delve into the world of grunge fashion and immerse themselves in the subculture's style. Young women often combined Nirvana band t-shirts with oversized flannel shirts, Dr. Martens boots, or comfy Converse sneakers, just as Kurt Cobain did. Moreover, "ugly" oversized cardigans and sweatshirts were frequently paired with baggy blue jeans and sneakers.
Cobain wielded significant influence in the realm of gender fashion, shattering the stereotype that only "women can wear dresses." He inspired a new generation of men to confidently embrace dresses, skirts, and even experiment with painting their nails.
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