Imelda May

I tried to be a goth for a while. I'd pour baby powder on my face and paint my lips black, but that didn't last long. I thought I looked cool at the time. But then you look back and wonder, 'Why did anyone let me out of the house looking like that?

Irish Musician

Evan Rachel Wood

I was a real tomboy for most of my life. Then I went through a really girlie period, then through a goth phase. I was so obsessed with my hair and makeup, and I was having so much fun as a teenager playing with my look.

American Actress

Jhonen Vasquez

I'm definitely incredibly attracted to the aesthetic of what is typically deemed goth stuff, but. A lot of my experience growing up was in being around that kind of thing, and it's just what sinks into a person's brain.

American Cartoonist

Grey DeLisle

Many thanks for all of the love and good wishes sent our way from my friends out there in cartoon land... the only place where a nine month pregnant woman can still play a hot goth chick in a belly shirt!

American Musician

Poppy

Goth is dead, punk is dead, and rock n' roll is dead. Trends are dead. Nothing exists anymore because the world is spinning faster than any trend.

Michael Bastian

Women are more open to trying on a new personality every season; they can go from goth to bombshell to librarian, whatever.

American Designer

Rooney Mara

Just because the character listens to an iPod and wears black nail polish, she's goth. That was just a misused word.

Andy Biersack

My whole life, I've loved '80s synth and goth rock like The Sisters of Mercy and Depeche Mode.

Robert Smith

It's only people that aren't goths that think the Cure are a goth band.

English Musician

Till Lindemann

We used to be either punks or goths - we hate Nazis!

German Musician

Used to identify those part of a subculture interested in dark themes.

Subculture Identification

Goth is not necessarily negative; some find beauty in its dark aesthetic.

Not Always Negative

Most commonly associated with modern youth culture.

Modern Youth Culture

Refers to ancient nomadic tribes, important in European history.

Historical Tribe

Though often depicted as barbaric, Goths had their own complex society.

Not Barbarians

Don't confuse historical Goths with modern goth subculture; they're unrelated.

Misinterpretation

Connects to a distinct music genre with dark, atmospheric elements.

Musical Genre

Goth as an adjective can describe clothing and style, not just music.

Fashion Expression

Goth fashion and music are more accepted in some societies than others.

Cultural Acceptance

 have in common with ancient barbarians? Not much. So why are both known as goths? Is it a weird coincidence or a deeper connection stretching across the centuries?

A brief history of goths...

 vampire Jen's also a goth a person who enjoys medieval fashion and fantasy with costume corset wigs and makeup the women transform themselves into