An explosion of techno beats, supported by slick guitar riffs with a hint of pop, hit the radio airwaves in 1995. I was 16 and the band was Garbage. Backed by Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and famed producer Butch Vig, the Scottish frontwoman Shirley Manson wrote songs that clearly spoke to sullen teenagers trading in their Mariah Carey albums for a goth subculture consisting of black clothing. Teenagers like me.
When I first listened to the band’s hit, “Only Happy When It Rains,” I experienced an “ah-ha!” moment:
I’m only happy when it rains
You want to hear about my new obsession
I’m riding high upon a deep depression
I’m only happy when it rains
Who couldn’t relate to this? A lot of people, but that’s irrelevant. Maybe YOU think Garbage is irrelevant. After all, what have they done lately? They left the music scene seven years ago, which the A.V. Club accurately describes as “an eternity” if you abide by the current mandate enforced by mainstream pop and trends. However, Manson and the band have regrouped and I was so happy to see the redheaded beauty on the front cover of Nylon looking fierce. Her absence didn’t turn her into train wreck material fit for a VH1 “Behind the Music” special.
So, what does any of this mean for promotional fashionistas? Even if you didn’t follow Garbage, you’re probably quite familiar with Manson’s various eclectic looks. Her signature milk-white skin and fiery red hair garnered as much attention as anything else. If you’re not familiar with her avant-garde style, maybe now is the time to get acquainted with it. For this particular Nylon cover, makeup artist Torsten Witte “accentuated Manson’s hazel eyes with a dark purple shadow paired with a bold vermilion lip.” Her hair was pulled back into a sleek topknot that let loose a reckless amount of curls almost resembling an Afro. Her clothes were rich and colorful—pure fun. Why not apply the same tactics to your next promotional apparel event? A strategy should be set in place, but where’s the fun in “no fun” when accomplishing your end-goal?
Fun can come in many forms (and you don’t always have to look like an over-the-top rockstar to achieve something cool). Here are a few examples:
Guess Jet Black Earrings from Castle Merchandising Inc.
Bella Vintage Jersey Tee Shirt Dress from Imprints Wholesale
Animal Print Tote Bag from Ad-Line Industries
Martini Rhinestone Transfer from Vegas Golf/Foxyware
Cropped Large Collar Jacket from Alternative Apparel
Casio, Baby-G Shock Watch with Rhinestones and Heart Motif from Indigo
Now, my question to you is this: Is there room for fun in the promotional apparel industry? If you’ve ever handled a campaign involving tastefully awesome looks, or perhaps you were in search for something like that and came up short, let me know in the comment section below.
(Editor’s Note: Enjoy this video from Garbage.)
