Back in the 80’s, before the era of Hot Topic, or Cybergoth, The Batcave and Deathrock look was new—and much more commonplace in North American and Europe than it is today. This was the era where hair was backcombed and sprayed with toxic amounts of Aquanet, and the outfits were DIY with leather, lace, and fishnets. Your music collection was a badge of honor within the liner notes of 12 inch LPs and 45 RPMs. Concerts were communion in a New Church smelling of clove cigarettes permeating the air along with the incantations of Pagan Love Songs.

Check out the various international photos below, courtesy of the Now This Is Gothic Tumblr, and pick up a copy of the book Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace by Andi Harriman and Marloes Bontje.