Hmmm..What do you guys think?

[Cen0bite]

http://mag.dfsm.org/2007/05/30/hot-t...out-goth-look/
"Hot Topic goes beyond the pale: with sales swooning, retailer is phasing out ‘goth’ look

Confirming what consumers had already figured out, the “goth” look popularized by Hot Topic Inc. is a goner.

Company executives aren’t talking specifics, but in the wake of an extremely disappointing holiday sales season, the City of Industry-based retail clothing chain has indicated in a thing that it will remodel 60 to 80 of its nearly 700 stores.

The plan is to shed the trademark all-black fashions, which were derived from heavy metal and dark rockers, that have taken the company from rags to riches, and nearly back.

The new-look stores will be brighter, featuring lighter colors and clothing. The stores will have accessory bins in the middle of the store and the most colorful apparel will be in the storefronts."


Anyway, just wondering your thoughts.
Do you think it was inevitable?

[Valerius]

Somehow, that little bit of news made a tiny grin form right at the edge of my lip knowing that mallgoths, spooky kids and posers will now wear colorful things!

[Splintered]

I have said it before, and I will say it again; Hot Topic is only good for patches.

[Renatus]

It was Inevitable. Perhaps with the downfall of Hot Topic the goth subculture as a whole can return to it's former state without all these teenagers merely latching onto it like it was the next fad. It will be interesting to see if any of those fad teenagers are left standing after it's fall.

[c130]

Will they sell red clip-on clown noses too?

[Velvet_Mansfield]

I heard they already did that to the one nearest me. You know, it actually kind of makes me laugh. I do wonder what all the mallgoths, etc. will do now, though.

[Saphyra Runa]

Damn! There goes me ever finding my favorite perfume again. Morbid, it's to die for.

But seriously, I know what most people here think of that store, but it's kind of sad in a way that it feels the need to become just one of the other brightly lit, pastel colored stores like any of the other hundreds of stores at the mall. But I guess I should have seen it coming when their sister store Torrid, for us big girls, went mainstream.

Hot Topic isn't ALL bad. It is at least a cheaper starting point for those who aren't proficient in DIY, able to hunt down the good things in this Hollister world or have access to a credit card for the expensive on-line world.

It will be interesting to get a point of view from my HT sales kids and to see if they change their style.

I am serious about my perfume! I get the best and most compliments on that fragrance.

[Alaizabel Cray]

Yes, I remember when Torrid went mainstream, and wondering about Hot Topic being next. Hm. Perhaps I better take a last look at their online store and make sure there isn't anything I actually want...

[DarkGentleman]

Originally Posted by Renatus

It was Inevitable. Perhaps with the downfall of Hot Topic the goth subculture as a whole can return to it's former state without all these teenagers merely latching onto it like it was the next fad. It will be interesting to see if any of those fad teenagers are left standing after it's fall.

Pretty much they will still sell stuff for emos afterwards. It's odd that they never had one of their stores in Calgary here either. I can see why they may have lost sales, (not enough expansion in franchise?).

Even though I have looked at the website or heard the word of mouth of Hot Topic, I found nothing of interest to buy for myself but perhaps for my daughter, however she likes what I make for her anyways. They have a Hot Topic wannabe store here called D-TOX, my daughter wasn't impressed with their stuff either.


Quoted:"The new-look stores will be brighter, featuring lighter colors and clothing". Now does that mean the emos will start wearing bright flourescent colored clothing?

[c130]

Easier to spot in the street; easier to avoid or happy-slap.

[DarkGentleman]

Originally Posted by c130

Easier to spot in the street; easier to avoid or happy-slap.

Damn rights, just like hunters wearing blazing orange in the the forest.

That way we can determine who's goth and who's emo.

[Methadrine]

Hang on... if the emos goes bright and flourescent.. what does the ravers do to avoid being confused with the now enlightened emo-population? Turn goth with a new style called Roth?

Gah, damn emo's.. always messing up our lives.

[DeathChii]

Hot topic is pathetic... wow...

[Tismine]

Goodness...I will certainly miss going in there and laughing at the insanely high prices and poor quality.
Other then that, meh.
Oh, my! Whatever shall the mallgoths do for clothing?!
<I saw two spooky kids today. They accused me of being a "goth hater" because I just didn't understand their "darkness".>

[kitten]

This is so stupid. I never really liked Hot Topic, but like someone said, it was a good starting point for me when I was like 13 or 14. (needless to say, I didn't have a credit card and mom wasn't really impressed enough with the style to use hers) SOOO, Thats where I bought my first pair of boots. And I did like that they had decently priced jewelry. Other than that, they are completely useless.

I think I might buy my moms dress form off of her and make clothes myself. Or...I might just go naked.

[Methadrine]

We don't have Hot Topic around here, but we got something similar. I buy my boots and bought my leatherpants from there, and from what I can tell it seems like the same modus operandi as Hot Topic on their other merchandises... expensive stuff with lousy quality. Oh, and lots and lots of Alchemy Gothic trinkets.

[Clockwork]

That's business. Hot Topic only served a profitable market, and as no trend lasts forever, this change was inevitable.

I'm glad. Mallgoths and scene kids are about the most unsightly things around, and with Hot Topic shedding its skin, it's not long until they're phased out entirely. Plus, now I can stop being mistaken for an emo kid ^^

And indeed, it will be very interesting to note who remains darkly clad once the tide recesses.

[DarkGentleman]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

That's business. Hot Topic only served a profitable market, and as no trend lasts forever, this change was inevitable.

I'm glad. Mallgoths and scene kids are about the most unsightly things around, and with Hot Topic shedding its skin, it's not long until they're phased out entirely.

Are you predicting the extinction of the emo era? I must say it's a damn good one there.

To Kitten: Do get that dressform, making your own outfits is much more rewarding to yourself and having unique creations worn only by you.

[Clockwork]

If it doesn't go extinct, then it's at least going to be hobbling around one-legged for a while.

[badteccy]

Yup, my Hot Topic is all emo/scenesterbrightcolorsandbrokenheartlogos now
it's rather dissapointing.

[HumanePain]

What I am wondering is if they change their inventory to the new colors, will they reduce the prices on the blacks to get rid of them?
:: thinks of going to Hot Topic to look at the reduced racks ::

[BLEED REBELION!!!]

I dont know if Im realy happy about this

Hot Topic was my starting point and I don’t think I would be where I am without it introducing me to the “goth” world. I know Its over priced I usually would go when they had clearance sales. I know hot topic isn’t real but still I mean I kinda liked being able to go in shoplift some jewelry and stare at the hot sales girl. As for “emo(tional)” going extinct I really don’t care, emo’s never bothered me. I actually hang with 1 of them. And I have never met a emo who fit the stereo types that everyone says they have. Allot of people just go and hate emos over the stereo types they hear. Really I mean let the scene kiddies do what they like and shop where they want. Bllllaaaaaaaa who gives a shit.


Many people who are "real goth" started at hot topic so maybe you shouldnt hate on it so much. I just dont like the Consumerism of it. I don’t really like giving money to big business although often times u don’t have a choice.

[Godslayer Jillian]

You always have a choice.

As for my opinion.
I actually will like Hot Topic if it does this.
It would be dumb not to change with the times with a name such as 'Hot Topic'.
Hot Topic should adapt to the hottest topics of the moment, and that's what it will do.

After all, this is the moment we've all been waiting.
'Fashion is a form of ugliness so unbearable it has to be changed every six months' (Oscar Wilde)
The market that appealed to the teenage demographic saw a profitable trend and seized it. Eventually, they would find something else to tap and they would guide the teenage populace to it under the disguise of 'innovation' and 'uniqueness'.

It has happened, yay. Now the gothic revival can go back to leather jackets, fishnets, and hairspray rather than tripp pants, spikes, and bad hairdyes.

[wishcat]

Originally Posted by HumanePain

What I am wondering is if they change their inventory to the new colors, will they reduce the prices on the blacks to get rid of them?
:: thinks of going to Hot Topic to look at the reduced racks ::

Haha, I hope they do . Sounds like a good idea HumanePain. =D I think I'll head off to check if any black clothes are on sale also.

[Edward Strange]

"That's business. Hot Topic only served a profitable market, and as no trend lasts forever, this change was inevitable."

Yup.

Does this mean gothic fashion is now going underground again?
And I wonder if the same change can be said of other similar shops like Attitude Clothing and Blue Banana? o_O