The Seapunk trend might be SO LAST YEAR but there are residual effects pulsating throughout the world of fashion. Round sunglasses and turquoise hair, popularized by seapunk original, Zombelle, have crossed over into the mainstream. Colourful hair, blue, green, turquoise and pink have been subsequent hair colour choices by Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Models on Anna Sui’s spring 13 runway sported pink hair and shell necklaces. Tory Burch’s models wore sandals with blue flowers and white shells, and Tommy Bahama reinforced his beach brand leisure image with starfish on a watch face. Sea life motif jewelry remains a constant summer favourite, but it is getting edgier with barnacle, shrimp and lobster rings all featuring black diamonds at Stephen Webster. Tropical fish and crab pins in gold and platinum studded with pearls and precious stones from Autore would create a beautiful aquarium on any summer dress.
So where does it lead? Zombelle and DJ Ultrademon have probably moved on from their original dreamlike 90’s house, techno, ocean sound music style. Yet the original seapunks (not known by that name though) have been going strong in New York ever since 1983 in Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade, an annual costume art event celebrating ancient mythology and contemporary seaside rituals. This year’s parade will take place June 22nd, and it is not too late to join, www.coneyisland.com and let the inner sea nymph and Neptune come out for a day.
