What is Camp Fashion Aesthetic?
Fashion trends are closely intertwined with the current social and environmental context. Within the context of the times, people express their hopes for the present and future through their dress style. While daily life has returned to normalcy, the lingering uncertainty and apprehension from past experiences still leave a profound impression on people's minds.
People cannot ignore the possibility that life's instability may become the norm. Amidst localized conflicts and economic downturns globally, people cannot ignore the cries of distress both near and far. In anxious emotions, individuals attempt to convey optimism through exaggerated, colorful, and dazzling fashion styles, with Camp fashion aesthetics being one such expression.
What is Camp Core Aesthetic?
Campcore is an aesthetic style and sensibility that finds appeal in something due to its bad taste and ironic value. Camp aesthetics subvert many modernist notions about what constitutes art and what can be classified as high art. It takes an unconventional perspective that reverses aesthetic attributes such as beauty, value, and taste.
The term "Camp" in the Oxford Dictionary is described as "ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical." By 1964, Susan Sontag provided a comprehensive interpretation of the Camp art style in her essay "Notes on Camp." She believed that the essence of Camp lies in "the love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration."
Camp Style in fashion lacks specific standards and clear definitions. It is closely related to Baroque, Rococo, Art Nouveau, Futurism, and Neo-Romanticism. In simple terms, it does not single out any existing style but rather encompasses a combination of these styles. Any elements such as vibrant colors, exaggerated silhouettes, feather decorations, or shiny fringes can be considered Camp if they possess enough exaggeration, boldness, theatricality, and extravagance.
What is camp style in fashion？
American singer and actress Cher can be considered a spokesperson for Camp Style. The extravagant and theatrical elements such as rhinestones and feathers in her outfits, combined with her stunning performances on stage, have earned her the title of "Queen of Camp." None of this would have been possible without the help of her collaborator, Bob Mackie. With his support, Cher pioneered the fashion trends of the 1970s with her unique style.
In modern popular culture, Lady Gaga is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable figures associated with Camp Style. She has led a new generation in the music industry with her powerful musical style and showcased her avant-garde and pioneering personality through exaggerated and highly distinctive outfits.
At the same time, influenced by multiculturalism, artists like Cardi B and Sam Smith have also begun to embrace the Camp Style. They appear on grand red carpets in exaggerated, playful, and dramatically styled outfits. They not only capture public attention but also spread joyous emotions to everyone around them.
Camp style on the show
Fashion rising star Harris Reed, known for their glamorous, sensual, and extravagant style, pays homage to Shakespearean quotes in their latest 2023 autumn/winter collection. Exaggerated velvet bell-shaped gowns, reminiscent of stage performances, are complemented by plaid-patterned metallic-colored boots that echo with metallic-colored shawls resembling candy wrappers, creating a unique British opera experience.
In their 2023 spring/summer show, the imaginative Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk Burke of Area incorporated various fruits such as bananas, watermelons, and grapes into high fashion in playful and creative ways. The combination of these common fruits with iconic rhinestone elements, feathers, embroidery, and other embellishments resulted in a dramatically exaggerated visual effect, evoking a joyful vacation style.
As the only Chinese brand featured in the 2023 spring/summer haute couture show, Robert Wun embraced the "fear" theme, transforming those terrifying emotions into beautiful fragments and designs. With meticulous attention to detail, Wun allowed us to experience the sharp and extravagant beauty akin to razor blades. The striking scarlet gown paired with an asymmetrical headdress, veiled in a misty red veil, concealed the bride's hidden danger, radiating sharp beauty amidst danger and excitement.
Camp core exaggeration is not limited to a specific style. Rather, it is an amazing and dramatic visual presentation that brings us new experiences and joy.
If you're also keen on learning more about core aesthetics, you can click on the link below. Over 35 core aesthetics are waiting for you to explore and uncover their secrets.