Ep. 145: Pastel Grunge Revival

This week, we herald the coming of the Pastel Grunge Revival, a new wave of candy-colored femininity characterized by an eclectic and deliberately unsettling fusion of childlike innocence and overt sensuality. We discuss the style’s influences— soft grunge Tumblr imagery, cartoon nostalgia, Harajuku fashion, sex worker style, and more— and unpack the social functions of age regression, self-objectification, and homosocial fantasy that resonate with young women online. We also provide a brief overview of pastels in visual culture from the 1950s to present, and we explore the myriad reasons why this aesthetic emerged from Los Angeles in particular.

Special thank you to Monica @finalformfemale for this episode idea!!

Links:

Image board

Ashley Williams – Vogue Runway

f5ve – I Choose You (Official MV)

PGR It Girls and Creative Forces Masterlist: Mazzy Joya, Savannah Hudson, Miss Madeline and Chase Icon, Cannelle, ADÉLA, Manon Macasaet, Lexi Kingery, Kennedy Dechet, Natasha Somerville, Aerin Moreno

Shopbluedream.us and @shopbluedream on Instagram for an inspired selection of PGR clothing

Misc. PGR brands: Lovett, OGBFF, OMIGHTY, Poster Girl, I.AM.GIA, Poison Candy Apple, WeedSlut

TikToks of girls posting their younger selves to sad songs

Accidentally getting a job as a stripper in Japan TikTok storytime

fakemink - Easter Pink (Prod Suzy Sheer) (Official MV)

Rhode remakes Richard Avedon’s iconic Versace 1994 campaign

OG Soft Grunge It Girls: Joanna Kuchta, Shelby Hamilton aka meowshelbs, Erika Kamano fka Erika Bowes

Gwen Stefani and the Harajuku Girls (2005)

Nicki Minaj explains Harajuku Barbie (2009) (+ Nicki’s iconic pastel necklaces by ONCH)

Rapper CeeChynaa shows off her vintage doll collection

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