JOY DIVISION: AUSTERE SOUND AND STYLE

“In [Joy Division’s] songs, ordinary life achieves an epic grandeur. There’s no bombast or emotional theatrics; instead there’s a modernist starkness as pared down as a Samuel Beckett play.” – Simon Reynolds, The New York Times

Joy Division (originally titled Warsaw) formed in Salford, Greater Manchester, in 1976. After a slight re-shuffle on drums, it was Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Ian Curtis who conceived a uniquely stark and static sound – leading to a rise in melancholic post-punk across Northern England.

Defined by machinic pulses, low-key synthesizers, existential lyrics and a restless energy, Joy Division’s music was like the mindscape of Manchester – a crumbling industrial city with a dystopian environment. Style was born from this. Framed by stripped back silhouettes, bleak colour palettes and regimental postures, Joy Division used utilitarian uniforms as protection from their violent sounds.

A breakdown of their united style:

For the underlayer: white crew neck t-shirts. Simple, practical and ever so slightly exposed.

For the shirt: short sleeved ones sealed with ultra-skinny ties; long sleeved ones semi unbuttoned and finished with military-style pockets; patterned ones featuring monochrome stripes.

For the overlayer: V-neck lambswool sweaters and chunky sleeveless pullovers. Colour palette: black, white, grey.

For the overcoat: by day, three options: British pea coat, single-breasted herringbone blazer, double-breasted trench. By night, zero in sight.

For the trouser: two options: dark jeans or dark twill trousers. Straight cut, flat front. Shirts tucked into waistbands, silhouettes sealed with slim leather belts. A strapped-up stance for all.

For the footwear: battered zip-up boots, battered lace-up boots, well-worn brogues. Leather designs for intoxicating nights.

And the overall result: Militaristic silhouettes used for radical radio transmission. Eternal power, eternal energy, eternal effect.

1-premiere-apparition-de-Joy-Division-emission-de-Tony-Wilson

Joy Division first appearance on TV. Granada Reports, Granada TV, September 20th, 1978. 

2-Ian-Curtis-par-Kevin-Cummins-Manchester-1979

CUMMINS, Kevin, phot. CURTIS, Ian, chant. Manchester, United Kingdom. 1979. 

3-Ian-Curtis-sur-scene-par-Lex-van-Rossen-Pays-Bas-1980

VAN ROSSEN, Lex, phot. CURTIS, Ian, chant. Manchester, United Kingdom. 1980. 

4-album-An-Ideal-For-Living-Joy-Division

JOY DIVISION. An Ideal For Living album. 1978.

Joy Division Stephen Morris Ian Curtis Bernard Sumner Peter Hook Kevin Cummins Manchester-1979 face

CUMMINS, Kevin, phot. JOY DIVISION. Manchester, United Kingdom. 1979. 

6-Joy-Division-par-Anton-Corbijn-station-Lancaster-Gate-a-Londres-1979-1

CORBIJN, Anton, phot. JOY DIVISION. Lancaster Gate station, London, United Kingdom. 1979.

7-Affiche-de-concert-Joy-Division-Factory-Manchester-1979

SAVAGE, Jon. Shimmy poster. Manchester, United Kingdom.1979. 

  • LAPELS
    « Trends in lapel size often mirror the economic climate: during World War II, lapels initially became smaller due to fabric shortages »
  • COOPER X 12
    « Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper/Tryin’ hard to look like Gary Cooper/Super Duper – Puttin’ on the Ritz »
  • OUTER POCKETS
    « It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that sewn-on pockets, and pockets hidden within the lining, became standard in clothing… »
  • INNER POCKETS
    « They are designed to meet the needs and habits of the wearer, evolving over time to accommodate changing lifestyles. »
0
    Your Cart close
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop