“Girls on Film” – Fashion in Araki Films
A mini fashion retrospective on the cult movies of Gregg Araki.
Writer and director Gregg Araki’s brand new TV show, Now Apocalypse aired this month. The show is semi-autobiographical and centers around a group of 20-somethings that are trying to figure ‘it’ out, and themselves in the process.
Araki is famed for telling stories of alienated youth, misfits and queer kids who are marginalized by mainstream society, it’s what Gregg does best.
Araki wrote directed and produced some of the best low-key cult teen movies from 1990s. His films focus on disenfranchised youths and explore friendships, sex, love, and self-discovery. Many of the Araki alumni went on to achieve major mainstream success, such as Rose Mcgowan, Shannen Doherty, Mena Suvari, Rachel True, Ryan Phillippe, and Debi Mazar.
The sets, costumes, and plots have created some major cinematic moments (basically every scene in Doom Generation is visually arresting. From avant-garde all red interiors to monochrome motel rooms). Araki’s aesthetic has had a huge influence on fashion for the past two decades. In 2015 Araki was hired to create a short movie for Kenzo which served as their 2015 Fall campaign.
We take a look at the top fashion moments from Araki’s movies
The Doom Generation (1995)
The Doom Generation stars Rose McGowan, James Duval, and Johnathon Schaech. A rogue cowboy hitches a ride with two teens before dragging them into a world of crime. They travel across the country and push boundaries by exploring an open relationship. Some bad shit happens and ultimately Amy (McGowan) saves the day. With heavy bangs, love of retro shades Amy is arguably one of Araki most iconic characters.
Nowhere (1997)
The follow-up movie to ‘Doom Generation’ is highly sexualized and focuses on the relationship of a bisexual teen couple who explore Polyamory. The plot progresses with the characters indulging in an excess of sex, drinking, and drugs. A standout scene features Mel on the phone dressed in spotted dungarees standing in front of a matching backdrop.
Totally F***ed Up (1993)
The film follows six gay teens who form a dysfunctional family unit. Araki said it’s “a rag-tag story of the fag-and-dyke teen underground….a kinda cross between avant-garde experimental cinema and a queer John Hughes flick.”
Kaboom (2010)
One of Araki’s later movies. The film focuses on the sexual adventures of a group of collage kids who discover a cult. The best style moments come from London (Juno Temple’s character).
Here Now (2015)
This 2015 short movie was commissioned for Kenzo’s Fall 2015 campaign. The film was similar to Araki’s earlier works, off-beat, non-conformist and questioning. It features Avan Jogia who stars in Now Apocalypse.