Pop Punk Facts No. 14
Richard Hell Invents the Punk Fashion Look
Richard Hell was the originator of the punk fashion look. Johnny Rotten/Lydon incorporated the style and look of the American art-punker under the guidance of punk svengali Malcolm McLaren. McLaren had been in the States managing the New York Dolls when he met the Voidoid. He was impressed by Hell’s cut-up DIY look of ripped clothes, spiky hair, safety-pin adornment and sprayed on slogans.
McLaren admits Hell was an important inspiration for the Sex Pistols’ look and attitude and almost persuaded him to move to England and become the frontman for the fledgling Sex Pistols.
However, the Sex Pistols had already found a singer. They chose an obnoxious scrawny looking lad who used to hang around the SEX boutique shop on the Kings Road. Steve Jones liked his green hair, interesting face, ‘I Hate Pink Floyd’ t-shirt and innovative rendition of Alice Cooper’s “I’m Eighteen”.
McLaren styled Rotten as a proto-Hell and the whole look of a movement was born. Vivienne Westwood’s S&M-inspired clothing was integrated into the Bromley Contingent and a nation rejoiced in its safety-pin accessorized clothing.
Some members of the Sex Pistols dispute Hell’s influence. Rotten claims that he invented his own image and only took up the wearing of safety-pins because the arse fell out of his trousers. No Future.
Love does indeed come in spurts.
2 Comments
And I though you, me and Mr B invented that look.
Thanks for an informative post there, Nelson.
We invented it about 25 years too late, nice try though. Always ready to inform, Napoleon.