Grunge and Gothic: The Art of Embodying Effy Stonem
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“Sometimes I think I was born backwards. You know, come out my mum the wrong way.”
As it gets colder and the seasonal depression starts to seep in, it has become time for my annual “Skins UK” rewatch (but only the first four seasons, because - let’s be honest - the third generation does not even count). For me, it is the perfect time of year to get comfy in my room and watch British teenagers smoke spliffs, rage at house parties, and make bad decision after bad decision.
Even as I write this, I am curled up in my bed under three blankets, listening to my “Skins”-inspired playlist, titled “born backwards” in honor of this iconic quote by the elusive and puzzling protagonist. The one and only, Effy Stonem.
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Who is Effy Stonem? A girl who rarely smiles, let alone speaks. She’s mysterious, misunderstood and messy. An extremely toxic girlfriend and an even worse friend. Her semi-gothic looks mirror Tracy Freeland from “Thirteen,” and her reckless actions follow those of Alaska in “Looking for Alaska.” If you really want to understand her, simply listen to Lana Del Rey’s “Carmen” (I’m still convinced that Effy’s character is the secret inspiration for that song).
And yet, the world still adored her as they watched “Skins UK” on their screens.
Why?
Because underneath her classic smokey eye and icy exterior, is a teenage girl who battles with her mental health, dealing with it the best way she can. Effy’s character became the embodiment of something many teens related to at the time: an adolescent battling a mental disorder and not always using the best tools to do it. She was far from perfect, but she was still loved, if not adored. She was the It Girl.
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For viewers, she was two sides of the same coin. She showed that it wasn’t crazy to struggle with mental health and suffer from it, even if it sometimes hurts other people in the process. And when it was time for her character to get help, she showed that getting treatment for mental health does not make you weak but instead makes you stronger.
Effy’s character may have left a lasting mark on all viewer’s hearts, but her style and aesthetic marked the fashion and cosmetic industry in 2007 forward, as she was one of the main embodiments of the edgy and semi-gothic look that many teens followed at this time.
Effy’s look bordered an edgy rocker-chick, sticking to dark gray and black pieces, often mini-dresses, leather jackets and fishnet tights. Other times she was seen wearing loose-fitted tanks with dark jeans - always ripped - or leggings with oversized sweaters.
Chunky boots and Converse sneakers are a staple for her, always accessorizing with thick belts and necklaces, whether it is long dangly pendants or strings of pearls.
And, of course, the most important touch: her iconic smokey eye.
Effy may have been a complicated character, but that doesn’t take away from the way she helped viewers of the show as they watched her fight her own mental battles. Her classic look was able to give aid by itself, giving some viewers a healthy way to channel their emotions into their style.
Struggling with mental health is one of the toughest battles people can go through, and having a character that mirrors those same feelings can be a comfort. Taking care of yourself needs to be the first priority always, and sometimes that can mean taking a step back to relax and turn off the rest of the world for a minute.
As Effy once said, “If you close your eyes you see darkness. But if you keep them closed for long enough… you’ll see light.”
Strike Out,
Ann Harper Covington
Editor: Caroline Kostuch
Athens