I first began styling and shooting clown themes in about 2016 and at the time we got a bunch of hate messages and comments about it! It seems hilarious now when I think of it (the world has real actual problems, clowns aren’t really one of them). I’m so glad clown aesthetic has become more acceptable in alt scenes, or at least folks have given up wasting my time with messages/comments about it lolllll.
It seems ridiculous to me that folks have the spare time to type out and send hate to creators just because they dislike something being associated with their favorite niche subculture. Does it actually impact you or have you spent a little too much time online lately? Do you really need to say something or are you just having a bad day? It’s alright, you can’t work online for 15+ years without encountering that sort of silliness and I appreciate any shared links/photos regardless of their tone. 🙂
I understand not wanting what are considered “costume” elements mixed with subculture fashions (we’re already endlessly asked what play we are in) but tell that to every goth who waited til black lipstick was available around Halloween every year in the 90s…. I’m always in favor of experimenting and exploring styles however you like. Life is short, choose joy and fun over childish policing and negativity.
Clown aesthetics are one of my favorites, even if I’m not strictly designing “clown” clothing. I see it as the magnification of different traits. You can be a sad clown or a creepy one, or even a goth clown! Pick a vibe you like and expand on it as far as you want to! It’s super over the top and creative. I like that it’s genderless and no one’s going to tell you your clown style is wrong.
Recently I got to do this fun shoot with Mindfractation modeling our Creepy Clowns print dress! I LOVE how they styled this look, completed with a leopard crown they made (check out Circus of Peril accessories).
Gloomth & the Cult of Melancholy 