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BgE: BiG GoTH EnERGy

We choose our favourite female icons who pioneer the art of dark dressing.

WORDS BY REBECCA RHYS-EVANS

Whilst at KOIBIRD we tend to champion a colourful palette, there’s always a time and place for black. For me, that’s now. Party season is looming, Halloween is just around the corner, and although I don’t dabble in the dark arts, I am partial to dabbling in the art of dark dressing. When it comes to fashion, black is the official shade of icon status – Princess Diana’s notorious ‘revenge dress’, Liz Hurley’s safety pin Versace number, and no teenage girl can forget Audrey Hepburn’s black satin Givenchy dress worn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. But there’s so much more to black than simply throwing on an LBD, and with that, I've identified five dark dressing aficionados to give you all some shadowy sartorial inspiration.

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN

I know what you’re thinking: ‘hang on, Kourtney isn’t the only Kardashian tackling all-black dressing’, but surely her new fiancé and latest accessory Travis Barker, aka Blink-182 drummer, secures her as the official Kardashian queen of darkness. This, and the way she plays with proportions (think satin mini dresses paired with oversized Matrix-esque leather jackets and PVC heels) make her a cut above the rest of the clan. 

KOURTNEY'S STYLE TAKEAWAY:

Combine textures – matte mixed with patent leather, velvet paired with silk. A juxtaposition of fabrics is the key to owning this look.

GET THE LOOK: KOURTNEY

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GET THE LOOK: KOURTNEY

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MORTICIA ADDAMS

“Black is such a happy colour.” Morticia Addams succeeds where Sharon Osbourne fails. Gothic isn’t gimmicky, instead, it's elevated and elegant. Although she and her daughter Wednesday are fictional, their fashion is not. Versions of their Victorian silhouettes have been replicated time and time again – ruffles and fluted sleeves at The Vampire’s Wife, peter pan collars at Anouki, and am I the only one that sees Morticia’s iconic off-the-shoulder black velvet dress in Sandra Mansour’s jumpsuit?

MORTICIA'S STYLE TAKEAWAY:

Embrace the old when it comes to shape and structure, and a swipe of red lipstick goes a long way.

THE OLSEN TWINS

Almost twenty years on and I’m still obsessing over the Olsens’ sleek, pared-back style. The duo are so dedicated to their oversized wool coats and crisp-white shirts they are willing to swelter in the heights of summer. Time and time again their street style proves that there is nothing more timeless than perfectly tailored head-to-toe black.

THE OLSEN STYLE TAKEAWAY:

If you can’t afford accessories from The Row (oh, but a girl can dream), sunglasses, cigarettes and an empty coffee cup will do. 

GET THE LOOK: MARY KATE

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GET THE LOOK: MARY KATE

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MICHÈLE LAMY

Designer, performer, and the life and business partner of Rick Owens, those who work in the industry will be quick to tell you of the brilliantly unique style of Michèle Lamy. Her ensembles, often designed by Comme des Garçons or, unsurprisingly, Rick Owens, always promise something avant-garde. Lamy is never without exaggerated proportions (gargantuan layers of fabric) and always worn with chunky 6inch platform boots, but I particularly admire her gold grill and kohl-black eyeliner.

MICHÈLE'S STYLE TAKEAWAY:

Too much is never enough – think layers, think fabric, think excess, and when it comes to accessories, an abundance of chunky bangles and multiple rings on each finger is a must. 

BILLIE EILISH

A hybrid of streetwear and MySpace-era goth, Billie Eilish picked up where Avril Lavigne left off. As a millennial, I find myself reluctant to accept the Y2K comeback, but the way Billie alludes to it, less Guess bootleg jeans, more cyberpunk-meets-skater girl, captures my attention. Billie’s style may have recently evolved to embrace the lighter shades, however, it’s her full black getups that get me excited. 

BILLIE'S STYLE TAKEAWAY:

Don’t be afraid of a motif and embrace old school band t-shirts, anime and neon flames.

SHOP THE DARK SIDE
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