Gothic, emo, scene, punk and gyaru, a few out of the many subcultures that are alternative, all have one thing in common; iconic. The alternative scene here at BVH is thriving as students continue the legacy of these communities that were formed during the 1970’s-2000’s. What makes each subculture unique to themselves is based on distinct forms of fashion, makeup, hair, accessories, music and political views. The term alternative refers to the counter culture that represses the expectations of the mainstream media and establishes rejection of traditional codes. 

Starting with Punk, what is it? Punk is one of the most prominent and first subcultures to emerge in the 20th century. The root of its early history would be made in the United Kingdom around the year 1976 when the movement was fueled in response to economic hardship, high unemployment rates and frustration amongst the youth.

Specifically the clothing style is distinguishable through the use of plaid patterns, ripped clothes, spiked hair, safety pins and patchwork. These bold choices of clothing during an era where conservatism was still prominent, shook the streets of London. Then in New York as the sub culture was trending, the punk movement was then introduced into the U.S by the 1980’s. Around the same time, Vivienne Westwood emerged; the first woman to create designer punk couture that made fashion history on the runway. 

The most famous musical bands that carried these movements were the sex pistols, X ray-Spex, The Ramones, Misfits and Green Day. The sound of Punk music uses a lot of distortion in order to give off a more aggressive tone that wants to direct the message of all punks to the world. Common themes that surround the scene are rebellion, equality and community.

And do not just think that the alternative scene is just in english speaking countries, it is a global movement that has also shifted to international countries such as Japan. One of the most popular alternative subcultures in Japan is most commonly known as gyaru that started in the 1990’s. The purpose of this subculture was meant to counter Japan’s beauty’s expectations of women which is historically favored towards pale skin, lean body types, modest clothing styles and natural looking makeup. While, Gyaru is the complete opposite as it vouches for individualistic and loud forms of expression that go against the stereotype of asian women. 

The Gyaru style originated from the practice of Japan’s private high school students who wanted to differentiate themselves fashion wise. But as soon as these students hit the streets of Harajuku–Japan’s most famous fashion district–it escalated even more as the fashion was not just upscale school uniforms but bright colors of neon clothing and animal print. There is even a famous Gyaru magazine by the name of “Egg” that amplified the movement even more. 

We can not mention the alternative community without giving an honorary mention to emos. Emo culture is one of the most recent alternative sub cultures that are different compared to others due to the influence of the internet. Emo is a sub genre of punk that took over the early 2000’s. The emo sub culture base was mostly carried out through the use of the my space app and bands such as My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. The fashion is distinct as studded belts, exaggerated teased bangs, skinny jeans and eyeliner are crucial to the look. 

Some students at BVH are part of these communities and proudly represent themselves as they bring their swag into the classroom. For example, BVH junior Anaissa Escandon identifies herself within the emo community because of her own personal interests and style critiques.

“I resonate more with the emo community, fashion wise and politically. I started committing to the lifestyle my freshman year. So by the time I was fifteen, I decided that I should express myself in the way I always wanted to and to be honest the best part of being alternative is the music, the vibes are all there,” Escandon said. 

The majority of new comers of the alternative community usually start out listening to the music that is associated with their genre of interest. Then eventually as music becomes endorsed into the typical life, so does the fashion and other aspects of these communities shine through. 

Even though that alternative scene is still thriving, there are several mishaps that threaten the community in its entirety. Fast fashion, gatekeepers and posers grow in abundance as social media creates a major concern. Now there is a new definition in the rule book that redefines the meaning of poser.

“In modern day what I consider to be a poser would be someone who does not take on the political stance that corresponds to the sub culture they say they are part of. For example, the term ‘right wing punk’, you are a poser. You can not be right wing and punk, that is something that just can not connect whatsoever,” BVH sophomore Jeneive Correa said.

Many students here at BVH participate in activities outside of school that involve the alternative scene, most primarily local concerts in the vicinity of San Diego. BVH junior Melanie Stone is someone who attends these shows regularly. 

“Some of my favorite local bands here in San Diego would be Sumo, Execute and Capra. The shows are so much fun and exhilarating,” Stone said. 

To be alternative is not “just a phase” but an everlasting movement that plans to last for decades to come. It is repetition amongst the youth and a pathway into the discovery of individualism as fashion, music and communities come together to enjoy similar interests.