A black T-shirt dress with the phrase “FLICK YER BEAN FOR AGYNESS DEYN” in lime-green lettering is part of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s permanent collection. This House of Holland dress from the fall 2007 collection represents a moment in pop culture when indie sleaze was popular. The trend included cartoon mustaches on index fingers, gold lamé leggings, and listening to Crystal Castles. Figures like Agyness Deyn and Alexa Chung, with their androgynous bone structure and rock and roll attitude, embodied the aspirational living of this era.
Despite predictions of a post-pandemic comeback, the indie sleaze trend never fully caught on outside of specific areas like Dimes Square. Agyness Deyn and Alexa Chung recently reunited at Bistrotheque’s 20th anniversary celebration alongside Henry Holland, recalling a time when style cues were taken from Stabilo Boss and parties were held at BoomBox in Hoxton. It was a nostalgic “getting-the-band-back-together” moment for those who embraced the indie sleaze aesthetic.
At the event, Agyness Deyn sported a grown-up version of the Noughties look, wearing a fluorescent green Molly Goddard dress paired with a giant tulle underskirt and pin-tucked bodice. This former indie sleaze poster girl, now a country-dwelling mother, returned to her aesthetic roots, posing with Alexa Chung. While she may have evolved her style, some iconic elements from her past, like her peroxide crop, scuffed Doc Martens boots, and Stegosaurus-shaped Giles Deacon bag, were notably absent from her ensemble.
The House of Holland T-shirt dress in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s collection serves as a time capsule of a specific era in pop culture. It symbolizes a period when young creatives embraced a unique style that included quirky accessories and bold fashion choices. Agyness Deyn and Alexa Chung were prominent figures during this time, embodying the edgy and androgynous look that was popular in the indie sleaze trend.
The reunion of Agyness Deyn and Alexa Chung at Bistrotheque’s anniversary bash was a nostalgic moment for those who admired the indie sleaze aesthetic. Their presence, alongside designer Henry Holland, evoked memories of a past era when fashion was synonymous with rebellion and individuality. The event highlighted the enduring influence of styles from the Noughties, as seen in Deyn’s modern interpretation of her former look.
Overall, the House of Holland T-shirt dress and the reunion of Agyness Deyn and Alexa Chung at Bistrotheque’s anniversary celebration represent a nod to a bygone era in pop culture. While the indie sleaze trend may not have fully regained popularity, its legacy lives on in the fashion choices and attitudes of influencers like Deyn and Chung. The event served as a reminder of the timeless appeal of unconventional and alternative styles in the ever-changing world of fashion.
