Charli XCX’s sixth album, “BRAT,” has taken the world by storm. While popular among alternative music fans, the album’s potential was evident even before its release. The singles tapped into the club scene’s energy, both musically and visually. But it was the album’s vibrant green cover, a source of memes before its release, that truly predicted the inescapable impact “BRAT” would have. The album has become synonymous with a playful, confident, and free-spirited attitude, encapsulating the essence of the “indie sleaze” aesthetic.
Charli describes “BRAT” as embodying a playful, honest, and somewhat volatile spirit. This perfectly aligns with the “indie sleaze” style, a term coined by Mandy Lee, which references the fashion and lifestyle of celebrities in the 2010s, drawing inspiration from the indie and rock ‘n’ roll styles of the 1990s and 1980s. The result is a bold and carefree aesthetic, and Charli XCX is bringing it back to the forefront of pop music.
The “BRAT” style draws heavily on Charli’s early days as a teenager, attending underground parties in the UK. Her looks from this era are perfectly suited for unforgettable nights out. Ripped and distressed clothing (including her Marni dress for the MET Gala!), asymmetric designs, strategic cutouts – all are essential elements, always with a touch of sensuality that feels natural and effortless. Makeup is an integral part of the “BRAT” aesthetic, with a focus on the eyes, often featuring eyeliner and smoky eyeshadow, another hallmark of “indie sleaze.”
To capture this sharp style, a photographer needs to understand not just fashion but also the lifestyle it embodies. Charli, recognizing this, enlisted Myles Hendrik, a photographer known for his work in the “indie sleaze” era, to shoot her birthday party. She also brought in Cobrasnake, another photographer from the nightlife scene.
The guests are an essential part of the “BRAT” spirit. Among them are some key figures who embody this lifestyle. One such figure is Gabbriette, a model for Versace and Marc Jacobs campaigns and former vocalist of the punk band Nasty Cherry (founded by Charli XCX herself). Gabbriette, known for her 1990s gothic style heavily inspired by Angelina Jolie, has gained viral fame for her TikTok cooking videos. The 27-year-old, engaged to the controversial frontman of the English band The 1975, has even become a muse for Charli, inspiring the song “360.” In the track, Charli sings, “You’re my favorite reference / Call me Gabbriette, you’re so inspired.” Gabbriette’s blend of fashion, mystery, and unfiltered social media posts has become a sensation, even in the beauty industry. Her “lip combo,” the products she uses to define and color her lips, has become a craze, leading to sellouts worldwide.
Another “BRAT” style icon is Addison Rae. The 23-year-old, who became one of the world’s most famous influencers during the pandemic with her dance videos on TikTok, has become a cult muse in the present day. Addison, now venturing into pop music and embraced by the LGBTQIA+ community on social media, embodies the Y2K style, referencing the early 2000s with her ultra-feminine and fun aesthetic. Her unposed photos and use of caricature filters from the early days of Instagram (2010) further solidify this style. Her authentic approach has led to collaborations like singing on the remix of “Von Dutch” with Charli XCX and starring in a campaign for the clothing brand of Petra Collins, a photographer who captures everything cool.
One source for blending the “indie sleaze” spirit with Y2K fashion is Tumblr, the blogging platform that was all the rage in the 2010s. Addison, along with another of Charli’s “it girls,” Devon Lee Carlson, embraces this influence. Devon, through her phone case company Wildflower, is bringing back the aesthetic of photos and fashion that dominated the platform, shaping a generation of young women. With t-shirts referencing songs of the era, like “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” by Kendrick Lamar (released in 2012), ripped jeans and shorts, and design layouts that were popular on Tumblr, Devon and her smile have been referenced by Charli in “Speed Drive,” a song she made for the “Barbie” soundtrack.
From the party girl aesthetic to the 1990s gothic style and the irreverent fashion of the 2000s, all these “it girls” have something in common: they embody Charli’s description of the “BRAT” spirit, which perfectly aligns with the “indie sleaze” aesthetic. Fashion nostalgia, vulnerability on social media, and authenticity mark a new generation that is not afraid to create, reference the past responsibly, and value real-life fun over posing for social media. With this in mind, we hope the “BRAT” summer can become a state of mind that transcends the seasons.
