Punk and Surrealism are two of the core inspiration factors behind Come On. Both cultural movements and, ways to perceive the world, have had an enormous impact on fashion throughout the years.
Ringleaders of both movements, such as Johnny Rotten and Salvador Dali, have found in fashion a way of expressing their beliefs. Rotten, wearing the iconic Royal Stewart tartan that became a signature of the punk movement, and a way to give the middle finger to the upper classes in the UK; and Dali with his characteristic moustache, collaborations with surrealist fashion designer Elsa Schiaperelli, his own line of jewelry, and the influence he had on fashion magazines in the ‘30s and ‘40s, and ‘70s.
“The Constant Tragedy of Life is Fashion” said Dali once, while referring to his collaboration with Elsa Schiaparelli, “The idea of dressing oneself, the idea of disguising oneself, is only the consequence of the traumatic experience of birth, which is the strongest of all the traumas that a human being can experience, since it is the first.”, continued the Spanish artist.
Dalí, who seemed to had a compulsive need to push boundaries to educate the world about surrealism, gained the attention of new audiences when he illustrated and worked on many covers of Vogue magazine, and other mainstream publications, such as The American Weekly, GQ, and even participating in a photoshoot for playboy in 1978.
As far as punk goes, the Sex Pistols and contemporary punk bands such as The Clash, and followers, had almost an unprecedented impact in fashion. Not only wearing, as previously mentioned, fabrics that were mostly associated with the British aristocracy, but eventually becoming a tourist attraction. Punks gave a new meaning to tartan, that was a synonym of upper class in the Victorian and Edwardian times, and wore the fabrics in patches, strips, and in unusual combinations and occasions.
Punks' unapologetic, DIY and even violent attitude demanded for a social and political change, and music and fashion were one of their most explicit ways to express those beliefs. As many subcultures when they are born, they are influenced by elements from the past, clearly establishing what things need to be changed, and the ones that they admire. Those might have been the reasons why Punk fashion adopted elements from the Teddy Boys, Greasers, the Victorian era, and even their childhood school uniforms.
Johnny Rotten
Another fashion icon of the punk generation was undoubtedly Richard Hell, from Richard Hell and Voidoids and Television. The New York musician is considered to be the first one to rip up his t-shirts, stencil them, and hold them together with safety pins. Hell’s short but spiky DYI haircut was, in a way, a reaction to the long long hair very popular during the ‘60, hair style that was adopted by many punks, including the Sex Pistols.
Richard Hell
Finding inspiration in Punk and Surrealism, Come On’s designs are classic and defiant, incorporating old tailor traditions with a modern twist and always keeping a ludic spirit. As Creative Director Florencia Macri says “I think fashion is a reflection of the culture and the collective subconscious from the different eras. It is an eccentricity, a reinterpretation and playful reassignment of many influences of all kinds. In my case, the influences throughout the length of my lifetime converged into Come On. A spontaneous act with roots. Fashion is a totally punk and surrealist act, in my opinion, they could all be used as synonyms.”
By Florencia Franceschetti for Come On
