Deconstructing Fashion Subcultures: Cybercore
Cybercore is a recent fashion style inspired by a now retrofuturistic art movement from the early 2000s. Many artwork coming from this era were influenced by the rise of Japanese cultural export. From product designers like Toshiyuki Kita, who in this time period introduced abstract shapes into household products, to architectural displays, additionally, anime and video games were starting to see significant social impact.
Neon Genesis Evangelion, perhaps one of the most influential anime released, is a principal factor of the silhouettes that can be seen from this fashion subculture. Illustrations of their suits often make it into design details of real garments of today. From long stylized lines (which could be substituted for cutouts), to jackets featuring standing wing collars, and the ubiquitous school uniform.
Another notable influence is Hatsune Mike which highlight similar accessories used in Cybercore styled outfits: long gloves, long sleeves, and long boots. Futuristic hair accessories, and low-rise skirt and shorts are also often paired when building an outfit.
Furthermore, music artists styled in this era became a template for the current revival of this trend. Smile — Butterfly, a classic amongst DDR fans, establishes one of the first cyber inspired outfits worn by real people.
Perfume, a Japanese pop idol group, is perhaps at the forefront of futuristic concepts within the early 2000s and even in recent years of their career. We can see a few design details in their stage costumes being repeated today. The holographic property of synthetic fabrics are highly desirable in most outfits. Among other details include, cutouts exposing skin or the layering underneath, and often cropped or sleeveless garments. Although in recent styling, garments have featured lines and shapes through different cuts of the sleeves or contrasting color through the mixing and blocking of fabric.
The designs and artwork of Y2K’s futuristic subculture was marked by a few design policies. Shapes were organic, opting for curved and blob-like forms over sharp angular shapes. Color palettes mostly featured whites, grays, cool blues, and for contrast, often orange. It’s important to note these as Cybercore continues to use these philosophies. However, much of the style today has exaggerated and refined anime and video game characteristics to create a distinct costume in real life.
Additionally, I’d like to touch upon the Cyberpunk genre. Since these two are often inspired and derived from the same pieces of media. Although related to Cybercore, Cyberpunk is distinctly marked by dystopian and cynical feelings towards the future and can consequently be seen in their garments via militaristic design choices: garments that feature neutral colors, bomber jackets, cargo pants, etc.
I’d like to leave you with some designers and content creators who I think have created pieces or outfits that are influenced by this genre. My goal isn’t to leave you confined to a label, but to expose you to ideas as you continue to build your own character.
chloma: A brand that encapsulates the idea of Cybercore in its entirety, they also explore virtual fashion through 3D models of their clothes.
Balmung: Their mix of street inspired silhouettes with color-blocking and cutouts lead into boundary pushing designs.
Izzy Du: Designer leaning towards futuristic high fashion, taking inspiration from landscapes and atmospheric shapes.
yunmago: A creator known for her mecha-inspired accessories, branded ŪNIT.
2ynthetic: 3D artist showcasing digital fashion creations as well as personal outfits.
