“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 stripesline or band more or less wide that marks a fabric More.
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 herringboneV-shaped decorative pattern obtained by reproducing, after i More blazer, double-breasted trench. By night, zero in sight.
For the trouser: two options: dark jeans or dark twillfabric with diagonal ribs and grooves of varying widths - on More 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.
![](https://husbands-paris.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/1-premiere-apparition-de-Joy-Division-emission-de-Tony-Wilson.jpg)
Joy Division first appearance on TV. Granada Reports, Granada TV, September 20th, 1978.
![](https://husbands-paris.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/2-Ian-Curtis-par-Kevin-Cummins-Manchester-1979.jpg)
CUMMINS, Kevin, phot. CURTIS, Ian, chant. Manchester, United Kingdom. 1979.
![](https://husbands-paris.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/3-Ian-Curtis-sur-scene-par-Lex-van-Rossen-Pays-Bas-1980.jpg)
VAN ROSSEN, Lex, phot. CURTIS, Ian, chant. Manchester, United Kingdom. 1980.
![](https://husbands-paris.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/4-album-An-Ideal-For-Living-Joy-Division.jpg)
JOY DIVISION. An Ideal For Living album. 1978.
![](https://husbands-paris.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/5-Joy-Division-Stephen-Morris-Ian-Curtis-Bernard-Sumner-Peter-Hook-par-Kevin-Cummins-Manchester-1979.jpg)
CUMMINS, Kevin, phot. JOY DIVISION. Manchester, United Kingdom. 1979.
![](https://husbands-paris.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/6-Joy-Division-par-Anton-Corbijn-station-Lancaster-Gate-a-Londres-1979-1.jpg)
CORBIJN, Anton, phot. JOY DIVISION. Lancaster Gate station, London, United Kingdom. 1979.
![](https://husbands-paris.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/7-Affiche-de-concert-Joy-Division-Factory-Manchester-1979.jpg)
SAVAGE, Jon. Shimmy poster. Manchester, United Kingdom.1979.
- JAMES BALDWIN« clear, lucid, and familiar, yet punctuated and powerful »
- THE SHOULDER« tailors also see it as the place of their uniqueness»
- KITANO, THREE MOVEMENTS« His countenance and clothes then become the way to read him.»
- THE PICK STITCH« historically done by hand, with a striking visual detail in lighter, brighter fabrics »