There are many things that defined the ’70s and ’80s – from neon leg warmers to shag carpeting. But, let’s not kid ourselves, the real gem of that era was none other than the enigmatic, raven-haired maven of melancholy, Siouxsie Sioux.
Is she the definitive Queen of Goth? Well, to answer that would be like asking if black is the go-to color of the gothic wardrobe. (Spoiler alert: it is!)
The Rise of the Crow-Clad Muse
Before the emergence of every teen’s favorite platform to moan about life – emo music, there was goth. And at its helm, leading the procession of pale faces and heavy eyeliners, was Siouxsie. With her banshee-like wails and lyrics that seemed to emerge from the depths of a Poe-esque nightmare, Siouxsie Sioux wasn’t just playing a role; she was the role.
Gothic Culture and Siouxsie’s Stamp on it
The gothic subculture emerged as a beautiful rebellion against the bubblegum pop and kaleidoscope fashion of the times. Its themes of existentialism, passion, romance, and darkness mirrored a lot of what Siouxsie and the Banshees were about. Now, I’m not saying that Siouxsie single-handedly birthed the entire gothic subculture (that’s a debate for another dreary, candlelit evening), but she definitely put on the eyeshadow, teased her hair, and crooned it into adolescence.
Gothic Fashion: The Siouxsie Standard
Siouxsie’s fashion choices were as iconic as her music. In a world where everyone was dancing in flared pants bold goth boots and flower crowns, she showed up like she was about to preside over a vampire court. And, honestly? We were here for it.
Let’s break it down, shall we?
- The Eye Makeup: Oh, boy. Where do we even start? If the eyes are the windows to the soul, Siouxsie’s soul was an abyss of mystery. Thick swaths of black eyeliner and shadow, her look could pierce through the veil of mortality. Many tried to replicate it, and many (okay, most) looked like pandas.
- The Hair: Gravity-defying and teeming with secrets, Siouxsie’s raven locks, usually in a jet-black hue, were a crown unto themselves. Let’s just say, her hair didn’t need volume, the volume needed her hair.
- Draped in Darkness: Siouxsie had this uncanny ability to make anything she draped on herself look like a couture piece from Transylvania’s top goth clothing fashion house. Whether it was lace, leather, fishnets, or feathers, if it was dark and dramatic, Siouxsie was rocking it.
- Accessories to Die For (or From): Crosses, spikes, chokers, and more, her accessory game was stronger than garlic at a vampire convention. It was as if every piece she adorned had a backstory involving a midnight séance.
Why is She the Queen of Goth?
Well, besides the fact that she looked like she just stepped out of a beautiful Gothic nightmare every day, Siouxsie’s influence on the subculture is undeniable. Her music with the Banshees, her rebellious spirit, and her unapologetic embrace of the macabre and the romantic made her the perfect poster child (or should we say, poster ghoul?) for the gothic movement.
Is it an exaggeration to call her the “Queen”? I mean, did Marie Antoinette have songs like “Spellbound” or “Cities in Dust”? No, she did not. Case closed.
In Conclusion
Siouxsie Sioux is more than just a singer; she’s an emblem of a time when darkness and romance danced together in the dim light of a dying candle. She wore her heart on her black sleeves, platform shoes and her soul in her kohl-lined eyes.
So, to every modern goth sipping their almond-milk latte, remember the roots (and we’re not talking about those bleach blonde roots under that jet-black dye). Remember the woman who walked so you could fly in those bat-winged platform boots. All hail Siouxsie, the undeniable Queen of Goth!
(And for those still trying to nail that perfect Siouxsie eye makeup look, just remember: practice makes perfect, and makeup remover is your friend. Cheers!)
