Gothic and punk—incompatible? At first glance, the genres seem like polar opposites: romantic melancholy versus rebellious energy, Victorian aesthetics versus street culture. This project is dedicated to exploring how two movements within the fashion industry can intersect, complement each other, and generate new visual identities.
The collection consists of a set of five metal button-artifacts. Each possesses a unique form and references archetypal images from Gothic literature: the lightning bolt symbolizes the Byronian hero—his passion, rebellion, and destructive power; the five-pointed star embodies hope and light, guiding one through the darkness; the rhombus recalls a window of an ancient castle or a family crest, directing us toward themes of lineage and heritage; the multi-pointed starburst symbolizes a moment of revelation, madness, or the unveiling of a fateful secret; and the circle is connected to night, dreams, memory, and the ghostly figures populating the pages of Gothic novels.
Each metal button becomes the foundation for a unique composition that the owner assembles independently, adding chains, pearls, lace, threads, keys, and other elements. There are no two identical results here—each object is shaped like a small ritual and becomes a reflection of its creator.
The collection’s symbolism is inspired by images from 19th-century Gothic literature:
- Pearls refer to the tears that fill the pages of ancient poems.
- The chain represents fate and unbreakable bonds.
- The key symbolizes a forbidden secret.
- The red thread is the bloodline and the memory of generations.
- Lace is a reminder of the ghostly presence of the past.
- Thorns serve as a defense against the outside world.
- Wax preserves memories.
- The black bead speaks to mourning and loss.
At the intersection of punk culture and Gothic romanticism, an object emerges that serves as both an ornament and a talisman because every button is assembled according to a semantic coding of elements. It is an additional form of self-expression—a personal relic assembled by one’s own hands.
As a result, the buttons transformed from functional hardware into standalone artifacts that blend the aesthetics of punk, gothic, and DIY culture. Here, the user becomes a co-creator of the object. Due to the modular design and the variability of the symbols, the concept holds high potential for further development and application in fashion collections, accessories, and art projects.
This project was created as part of an educational course in Industrial Design at HSE University — St. Petersburg. ChatGPT Image was used for the generations.
