Remember when Kurt Cobain spurned toxic masculinity in a dainty floral frock?
In 1993, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain graced the cover of The Face magazine wearing a blue floral dress. With smudged black eyeliner and straggly blond hair covering one eye, Cobain stared casually at the reader alongside the headline, 'Nirvana: In the court of king Kurt.'
The image blended traditionally masculine and feminine elements: Cobain's beard and chipped red nail polish, his cigarette and dainty rings. Pairing the term 'king' with this androgynous image encapsulated the rebellious energy of grunge, a raw and discordant take on rock 'n' roll propelled to commercial success by releases like Nirvana's 1991 album 'Nevermind.'
Grunge fashion championed the mundane, capturing the angst and disillusionment of Generation X and countering the elaborate hair, bright colors and spandex popular in 1980s glam metal. Instead, grunge was frugal and messy. Artists wore their hair loose and disheveled, performing in T-shirts, ripped jeans and baggy sweaters that fans could find in thrift stores. By obscuring silhouettes, the style allowed for more androgynous expression.
The subculture was anti-runway, too, a sentiment that collided with Marc Jacobs' grunge-inspired Spring-Summer 1993 collection for Perry Ellis. The label sent samples to Cobain and partner Courtney Love. But the casual, thrifted aesthetic commodified and marketed as high fashion did not go down well with the Hole frontwoman and queen of grunge rock, reported WWD.
'Do you know what we did with it?' Love told the magazine in a 2010 interview. 'We burned it. We were punkers — we didn't like that kind of thing.'
When the members of Nirvana wore makeup, dresses, skirts or tiaras, they resisted a culture and musical scene that enforced a strict vision of masculinity. One instance was when Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl posed for Mademoiselle Magazine in 1993, wearing bright sweaters and scarves wrapped like skirts.
'Wearing a dress shows I can be as feminine as I want. I'm a heterosexual…big deal. But if I was a homosexual, it wouldn't matter either,' Cobain told the LA Times that year.
He was the latest in a line of rock 'n' roll icons who created space for others to experiment and express themselves more freely. Think of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury's iconic getup — mini skirt, heels, wig and mustache — in the music video 'I Want to Break Free.' David Bowie also famously blended gendered fashion elements with his flamboyant makeup and androgynous style.
Cobain often spoke out against sexism in rock music, and took a stand against discrimination, even at the risk of alienating his own fanbase. The liner notes to Nirvana's 1992 compilation album 'Incesticide' read: 'If you in any way hate homosexuals, people of different color, or women, please do this one favor for us — leave us the f*** alone! Don't come to our shows and don't buy our records.'
Cobain's 'performance persona allowed him to blend femininities into rock music's toxic staging of masculinity — for instance by wearing dresses,' Jacki Willson, associate professor in performance and gender at England's University of Leeds, told CNN. 'Our culture's palette for masculinity and the male cis(gender) body is still very limiting and restrictive — and Cobain's example allowed other male performers to find and stage their own authentic expression,' Willson added.
While debate around Cobain's fashion and identity frequently crop up online, it is useful to remember that the association of fashion with binary gender was precisely the sort of construct he was resisting.
Instead, Cobain experimented with fashion, showing that clothing has no gender, that a man can wear a dress without it meaning anything about his sexuality. The blue-collared dress he wore on the cover of The Face was fairly conservative. It looked second-hand and was a little dowdy. Cobain wore it casually, no big deal. It is a statement because it is not. It says: anyone can wear anything.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
26 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Mila Kunis Black Swan Diet Saw Very Little Eating
Mila Kunis is opening up about the extreme efforts she took to prepare for 2010's Black Swan. Mila notably played Natalie Portman's ballerina rival Lily, and in a new interview with Vogue to celebrate the film's release 15 years ago, she opened up about her grueling routine to achieve the skinny physique required to play her. Mila said, "My prep was a lot of dancing and very little eating — which I know you're not supposed to say, but it's the truth. I drank a lot of broth and danced for 12 hours a day." The actor, who stands 5'4," previously revealed that she got down to just 95 pounds so she would "look skinny" enough to convincingly play a ballerina. "Because I'm not a ballerina, I have to get on point within three months, and so to get on point, you almost have to fake it," she told Howard Stern in 2016. "So, the best way to fake it is to unfortunately look like it." "I smoked a lot of cigarettes and I ate a limited amount of calories," Mila added, specifying that she survived on an average of 1,200 calories a day. She told Howard that she had since stopped smoking, and although she insisted she lost the weight "in the healthiest way possible," she said she wouldn't recommend her regimen to anyone. "I don't advocate this at all," she stated. "It was awful." In the Vogue interview, Mila also opened up about other challenges while filming, including the physical toll that dancing eventually took on her body. She said, "We would shoot those dancing scenes for hours, and I had bruises all over my ribs just from being lifted over and over again. I also dislocated my shoulder pretty early in the production and thought I was completely screwed, but [director] Darren [Aronofsky] sent me to an acupuncturist and I somehow came out totally fine." According to her, Natalie also suffered an injury on set while shooting the scene of Lily being pushed into a mirror. Natalie told Vogue she "completely blacked that out" and did not have "a hint of a memory" of it, but Mila recalled, "You were scarred up all around your neck." You can read more about their experience filming Black Swan here.
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Products If You Want To Be Known For Your Aesthetics
A layered necklace set that can easily turn any outfit from "barely tried" to "chic minimalist." Reviewers rave about the high quality at this price point, including the fact that they don't tarnish quickly! Plus, the chains are separate, so you have the freedom to arrange and adjust them to your liking. Slingback heels, which blend comfort and elegance in the most gorgeous way. Their timeless style might just make them one of your most-used pairs — they'll take you from your daily office routine to casual lunch dates to evening drinks. They also give *major* Chanel vibes. A three-tiered ring floor lamp because it gives off unique sophistication to the max. Not only will it add a gorgeous flair to whichever space you place it in, but it also comes with adjustable brightness so you can customize the room's mood. A set of sophisticated cylindrical wineglasses that'll elevate your Friday nights so instantaneously you'll feel like you should be walking around your home in a designer pashmina like you're filming a "73 Questions" video with Vogue. A swoon-worthy plush blanket to snuggle up on the couch with a matcha latte in hand. You can try not to doze off with this wrapped around you, but probably fail. Plus, reviewers compare it to the one from Barefoot Dreams! Or a gloriously cozy Bedsure fleece blanket that a home stager would immediately reach for to add a homey yet elegant touch to a space. TBH, just looking at it makes me want to doze off into Dreamland. Some fairy lights because although you'd rather be sleeping, nothing can stop you from adding a bit of dreamy coziness to your workspace. Or! Use them to transform your mundane ceiling into a starry night sky. They have eight modes (twinkle, flash, fade, etc.) and can work both indoors and outdoors. They're great for creating the ambient lighting of your choice, and reviewers say they're very easy to hang! A basic long-sleeve shirt, aka a super classic staple. It's clean-cut, versatile, and just what you need if it's too warm for a jacket but the nights remain chilly. A vintage-looking dimmable candle warmer, which'll delight any candle-lover with a growing collection. It gently heats up your candles, releasing their soothing aroma and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Plus, the soft glow is just as cozy as a real candle — perfect for setting a relaxing mood after a long day. A flameless glass candle set that'll really and truly ~set the mood~ for a cozy ambience without clashing with your *actual* vanilla-scented candle that you've already got burning. A cloud squiggle tray if you like keeping your most beloved everyday knickknacks within easy reach. You might as well turn it into an aesthetic, eye-catching piece! A set of French tip press-on nails so that you can ooze elegance from your head to your your fingertips! Everyone will think you just got a $100 fresh set when really you just took them out of a box and glued them on ten minutes ago. 🤫 These nails come in different shapes, sizes, and pink or brown base shades so you can pick them based on your specific style. Reviewers say when applied properly, they can last for up to two weeks! A set of pastel highlighters because even your writing utensils are a chance to show off your impeccable taste in all things cute. Many reviewers also say they're an adorable addition to their desk and that they don't bleed! Is your type-A heart swooning as much as mine is? We're about to be color-coding like there's no tomorrow. A delightfully unique book-shaped flower vase made of acrylic to frame your flowers in a charming, artsy way. Or a thoughtful face vase perfect for daydreamers. It's so elegant that it'll elevate any room all the way to the gods. With this, your room is no longer a mundane space — it is a refined, artistic museum. And a bunch of silk tulips to really drive the message home that you are a put👏together👏 person. So put together, in fact, that you constantly have lovely, colorful flowers ready to welcome guests in your home's entryway. Sure, they're actually *artificial* flowers made out of a silk material that mimic the look and feel of real flower petals, but no one would ever know! A set of beautiful pearl hair clips for when you feel like you're having a bad hair day and just want to put your hair up in a hurry. This lets you do just that, but in a very ~pretty~ way. Plus, they come in a variety of styles and sizes! A CZ tennis bracelet, because a small, twinkly accessory can add an upscale factor to any outfit. And just look at that Swarovski-like sparkle it gives off (no one would ever know that it's actually cubic zirconia). A decorative rainbow window film if you want your privacy, but also want to be extremely ~whimsical~ about it. Not only does this make your space a little less mundane and project a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colors into your room, but reviewers also mention that it's useful for pet owners whose dogs love to bark at things outside, and that they also used them to outfit the sunroofs of their cars to prevent glare. A lightweight, nonstick Goodful all-in-one pan that's so beautiful, you'll want to show it off next time it's your turn to cook and host the hangout. With this, you can fry, stew, poach, sauté *and* flambé. It even won over this reviewer, a retired country club chef, with how perfectly it browns and caramelizes every time! An elegantly handmade floral coaster so that even the thing your iced drink rests on is eye-catching. These coasters are made with real flowers and sprinkled with gold flakes that make them look so sophisticated, you may be tempted to point that pinky up every time you reach for your drink. A TikTok-famous padded office chair for a more modern minimalist look. This height-adjustable chair is made of waterproof faux leather and has a curved, ergonomic backrest and seat to cocoon you as you push through the last hour of the day. And if you like frequently going into a criss-cross position, its extra-wide seat is especially perfect for you. A large Béis suitcase you'll soon consider the luggage piece of your dreams. This spacious 29-inch suitcase features lots of pockets and can be expanded if you need that extra space (aka always). You won't even have to stress about its weight — it has a weight limit indicator that'll let you know if your baggage is too heavy! Be ready to look down on everyone else's ~basic~ luggage as you grab your super chic suitcase at baggage claim. An absurdly adorable Porter Seal-Tight glass container because reviewers rave about how leakproof and perfectly sized they are. They work so well for lunch on the go, they'll have you tempted to throw out all your other plastic storage containers. A quick-heating Fellow electric kettle for your drip coffee because there is truly such beauty in simplicity. Plus, it's as functional as it is chic! Its elegant gooseneck is designed for a slow, even pour, and its temperature settings let you dictate exactly how warm you want your water to be. All there's left to do is sit back, sip your morning fix, and conclude that this kettle makes you better than everyone else. A pair of retro-style oval sunglasses — even the snobbiest of sunglasses connoisseurs would *swear* these are the $400+ Miu Miu ones. And who are you to correct anyone who comes to that conclusion? Throw these on and your look is instantly elevated. A sunset lamp that you can also turn on in the morning to bring a stunning, Lion King-level sunrise. It's just what you need to create a soothing ambiance as you start your day or wind down for the night. A pair of lovely silicone trivets with a soft, bendable design that makes it easy for you to place hot dishes down, take those very dishes out of the oven before your meal, and look *gorgeous* on your countertop. A triple threat! A chic ~aesthetic~ elevated cat bowl if you're looking to make your cat mom life a little more ~fashionable.~ Not only are these minimalist bowls *gorgeous,* but they're also designed to help alleviate your cat's spine and prevent whisker fatigue. A vintage-inspired ottoman with such a sophisticated look that no one would ever know you use it as a secret storage compartment. It's perfect for helping you tidy up your space and adding a touch of elegance to the room. Fair warning, though — your cat will probably be claiming this as their throne. A waterproof and stain-resistant faux-marble adhesive paper to make you feel less like you're in your room and more like you're in a fancy hotel lobby. Tell your coworkers to call you Miranda Priestly from now on. A pair of stylish teardrop earrings, which simply ooze Bottega Veneta vibes. Accessorize any 'fit with these beauties for an instant ~chic factor.~ Plus! Reviewers say they're so lightweight and comfortable, some even forgot they had them on. A clear acrylic vinyl record shelf — not only does it keep your favorite records within easy reach to play as background music while you work, but it also lets you show off your collection in an elegant way without taking up any extra space. And, for the record, T. Swift will be proudly showcased on that wall. An elevated laptop tote bag so clean-cut and beautiful, it might just empower you to strut through that office like the baddie you are (even though you're dreading sorting through those Monday morning emails). This stylish piece offers spacious compartments for all your essentials (laptop, makeup bag, books, and more) and keeps them organized and within reach. A monthly subscription to Silk + Sonder, which will send you a brand new, absolutely lovely planner each month that might just turn your organization goals into a fun hobby through its guided prompts, wellness trackers, and dated calendar spreads. Not only will you feel more put together, it also aims to boost your creativity and create a journaling habit!
%2520copy.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Vogue
6 hours ago
- Vogue
From the Archives: Jeffrey Steingarten on Gourmet Doggy Dining
'Give a Dog a Bone,' by Jeffrey Steingarten, was originally published in the December 1998 issue of Vogue. For more of the best from Vogue's archive, sign up for our Nostalgia newsletter here. "A fat bitch," I announced, licking the juice of a wood-grilled lamb sausage from my fingers, "is never an easy whelper." I was reading from the breeding section of a book called The Golden Retriever: 47Exciting Full-Color Photos. Sky King listened intently but said nothing, and not simply because he had not yet learned to talk. I have found that young males of all species have a limited attention span when it comes to discussions of whelping and obesity. But, as always, Sky King's gaze was eloquent—as it had been earlier that evening when I dumped a plastic cupful of upscale dry dog-food pellets into his bowl and turned away to take care of my own dinner, a half-dozen fat little sausages crackling over a smoldering fire of oak and mesquite on the grill just outside the kitchen door. "I know that you are a fair-minded human," he seemed to be saying, "and that you have only my best interests at heart. But are you absolutely sure that I should be eating this pile of dead and desiccated pellets while you experience the feral delights of sizzling flesh? Who's the carnivore here anyway?" I glanced back at Sky as if to say, "Cats are carnivores, dogs are not." But I had gotten his message. Dogs did not evolve eating dry dog food, and they do not prefer it now. Sky likes a good tomato, a hunk of raw steak, a hunk of grilled steak, pitted cherries, peaches, pizza, overcooked lamb sausages, running shoes, and Fudgsicles. He is neutral on the subject of heavily salted corn chips and has little use for Good & Plentys. Sky loves to eat in bed. Once our respective dinners were through, Sky and I watched the sun setting over San Diego, where he lives and to which I was paying one of my frequent visits. We went back inside and together began to formulate a plan for answering the critical question: What on earth is a growing dog supposed to eat? We ordered a dozen books over the Internet, settled into a comfortable chair, and began reading the relevant sections of The Golden Retriever: 47 Exciting Full-Color Photos, the only research resource immediately at hand. Apart from the caution concerning obese females, its culinary advice was sketchy: Dry dog food is the easiest, served four times a day and moistened with hot water for the youngest puppies, less of- ten and with less water as the puppy matures, and dry as a bone for adults. (The reasons: nutritional balance, total convenience, and minuscule stools.) This was the advice we had followed thus far with Sky King, whom my wife had named after a popular serial hero of radio and black-and-white TV in the forties and fifties, a fictional and fearless rancher-pilot who performed daring rescue and law-enforcement missions in his small private propeller plane. "Out of the clear blue of the Western sky comes Skyyyy Kiiiing!" each episode began. Sky's name is not yet among the top ten for North American dogs, which are currently Sam, Max, Lady, Bear, Mag- gie, Buddy, Tasha, Chelsea, Holly, and Shasta. Tasha?
