How The Rockstar Girlfriend aesthetic Became an instant obsession
By Alice Almeida
The rockstar girlfriend aesthetic is trending all over social media, but does anyone know how the grungy, smudgy look emerged?
The rockstar girlfriend aesthetic is bringing to life the look of actual female rock stars including Joan Jett, Tina Turner, and Steven Nicks who contributed immensely to the rock music scene. The trend revolves around a not-polished look, grunge-inspired clothes, and an effortlessly cool look. The look emerged based on the rock and roll way of life during the 60s and 70s, and the punk/ grunge movements of the 80s and 90s. Visually translated, the "rockstar girlfriend" aesthetic includes chunky silver jewelry, dark nails, leather clothing, and dark and smudgy eye makeup.
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The Music Influence
The music industry has influenced fashion for decades. Musicians have inspired designers and their collections multiple times over the years. The punk movement originated in the 1970s, however, its influence can still be seen today. This movement aimed to create a society where human beings are free and do not have to follow authority figures. Thus, the movement created a platform for authentic self-expression, which was reflected in the clothes. CELINE's collections today uncover a revival of punk culture and garments that show a nonchalant attitude: black leather, studs, and faux fur. This revival then streamed down to mass media and younger generations, originating the trendy term "rockstar girlfriend" aesthetic.
Social Media & Sales
The trending aesthetic on social media has had an impact on sales. People want to experiment with fashion and express themselves. Self-expression is at the core of the punk and grunge movements. It defends the belief that everyone has the right to express themselves and be who they want. After having been locked in during the pandemic, most people craved freedom which explains why the trend reached its peak. Several factors aligned perfectly: young people craving freedom, the rise of TikTok, and designers following the Gen Z punk revival.
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Here’s The Issue
The issue with the "rockstar girlfriend" trend is that it frames women concerning their partners, implying that they cannot stand on their own. Moreover, the trend also glorifies the partying 24/7 lifestyle which cannot be sustained. After the pandemic, it was to be expected that the following trends would idolize excess and extremes, as individuals try to break free from being locked in. The Face refers to John Berger's Ways of Seeing concerning this trend "Men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at,". In the "rockstar girlfriend" world women are seen as accessories to the men who perform on stage instead of their individuals. The punk movement aimed for self-expression and freedom. If that was the aim of this trend, the name should have revolved around the woman herself. This trend promotes women living for the male gaze, which can hurt the self-esteem of young women.
It's unfair to women to be seen as their partner's accessories, as they can be successful on their own. They can be partners where both parties have the freedom to do whatever they want. Freedom of the self was at the core of the punk movement that inspired the "rockstar girlfriend" trend. Even though the name could have given women more freedom, it opened new doors for a generation that had not yet been born when the movement originated.