Gothic subculture and its eye-catching fashion style arrived in Finland in the early 80s. Since then it irritated many of its outsiders and enchanted its insiders. What is so special about Goths?

Schwöbels work offers the first ethnographic research that has been done into the Gothic subculture in Finland and presents an unique inside look into their world. It gives and overview on the history of the Finnish Gothic subculture and offers detailed information about the first Finnish Gothic bands. By exploring and interpreting the variety of Gothic fashion styles and by paying special attention to its details, this work aims at uncovering the meaning Finnish Gothic subculture has for its insiders as well as outsiders. Particular attention is paid to the interpretation of the color black, which is one of the most meaningful details of Gothic subcultures fashion style.

The intention of this work is to explore and present the complexity of Finnish Gothic subculture and to contrast it to existing stereotypes, which have been related to it.

This book is an excellent work for those interested in cultural studies, youth studies and in the analysis of fashion styles.