70's Punk Era

1970’s Punk era

Introduction:

The 1970’s rebellious ‘Punk’ era came as a shock even after the liberating freedoms of the 1960’s. Yet many fashion/styling and social norms were still very traditional and it was that traditional view of how one was to appear in society that added the shock value to the styles born out of this era.

Anti-fashion becomes fashionable: 

Until now clothes were kept clean and immaculate. The London Anarchy Movement produced an anti-fashion youth urban culture which closely grew with the music movement that became known as ‘Punk’, with torn fabrics, destroyed and reconditioned garments and outfits made primitively out of odd patchwork clothes sometimes pinned together with padlocked chains and safety pins. This instantly caused both awe and outrage which were its desired consequences.

Faces of extremes:

Men with long, loud, volumised hair dyed jet black or bleached white and loud peacocking hairstyles not seen before truly gave the intended shock factor (see Figure.1).

In the early days of punk, the hair was commonly spiked as high as possible to form a Mohican style fin. An interesting point to note is that, unlike today, when there are a myriad of styling products, this look was achieved by using products that would not be used today to hold the hair, which included, gelatine, sugar & water solutions as well as PVA glue. 

Figure 1. 1970'S: NEW YORK VS. BRITISH PUNKS

http://pleasekillme.com/new-york-vs-british-punks-in-photos/

Breaking of norms:

The liberation of women styles was distinguishing feature and legacy of this era. Icons such as Soo Lucas known as Soo Catwoman were the first to break the chains of the ‘norms’ expected from women at the time (Figure 2).

Figure. 2: Soo Catwoman

Mad Dog:

http://boiledbones.tumblr.com/post/9038914556/designer-dresses-sale-beauty-cosmetics-hair-style-clothe

Standardisation of style:

A standardised look which was the basis of most styles consisted of areas of the scalp shaved, with the intention of looking intimidating. This became a unisex hairstyle and seeing it on men and women alike became normal. Also, by this stage the evolution of hair colouring products became more purpose-intended and gone were the earlier days in which food colouring was commonly used to dye hair (Figure 3). 

Figure. 3:  19 Filthy, Furious Vintage Photos Of Early Punk

http://www.buzzfeed.com/maceyjforonda/19-filthy-furious-vintage-photos-of-early-punk?crlt.pid=camp.mqsqIODejTVX#.vnDOpMm8m

Creating the Mohawk

With my Mohawk I did not go for the typical spiked out effect my mohawk was much softer then the typical mohawks that are created. Using the same technique you can still create the more intense spiked out mohawk.

First section the hair in to three equal parts and clip away the sides of the hair.

Using medium and large heated rollers, take a section of the hair starting from the front of the head working your way to the nape of the head. Take the large heated rollers making sure you have a clean section and apply the heated rollers making sure the hair is rolled away from the face.

Once all the heated rollers have been applied to the hair leave it to cool down. For the side two sections of the hair create a french braid on each side. This will help achieve a more effective Mohawk look without having to shave the sides of the hair.

When the rollers have cooled down is then time to start styling your Mohawk. First step is to back comb each section of the hair to create maximum volume. then start brushing out and smoothing the hair, by using your tail comb brush or back combing brush. Using the hair tools smoothen the hair out and shape it in to  style of Mohawk you want.

 

When you have styled the hair to as you desire sett the hair in hairspray to hold the style as hair product is very essential to create this look.

This is the end result of my Mohawk which has a more softer finish then the typical punk rock Mohawk. 

The contemporary Mohawk

This Mohawk is very easy and quick to create and does not require a lot of product. This style is more subtle then the 70's punk mohawk yet still retains the key elements that distinguish this unique style 

1. Section the hair in to 4 and then tie each section in to a ponytail.
2. Starting with your first section twist the hair in to a bun shape and pin the hair down. repeat these steps for the other 3 sections.
3. Once you have created you buns and they have been pinned down. it is now time to join the buns with a loose grip pin and repeat those steps.
4. Once you have completed those step you should end up with the contemporary version of the mohawk.

If you want to create the typical 70's Punk Mohawk then follow the same steps in setting and prepping the hair (as shown above in the step by step). Once the hairstyle has been prepped section the hair in to in to either small or big section depending on what kind of spikes you want. Back comb the hair starting from the root to the tip of the hair and then set it with hairstyling product. repeat these steps with the rest of your sections. You can style the hair out to join and add hair wax (as shown in figure 4) or hairspray to get the full effect or have them spaced out (as shown in figure 5)

Figure 4. Who says punk are for kids ?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2571121/Ageing-punks-grey-mohawks-rule-Jean-Paul-Gaultier-Paris-Fashion-Week-show.html

Figure 5. Punk bands of the 1970's

http://www.punkstory.com/punk-bands-of-the-1970s/