Unique and exciting, this ethnographic study is the
first to address a little-known subculture, which holds
a fascination for many. The first decade of the
twenty-first century has displayed an ever increasing
fixation with vampires, from the recent spate of
phenomenally successful books, films, and television
programmes, to the return of vampire-like style on the
catwalk. Amidst this hype, there exists a small,
dedicated community that has been celebrating their
interest in the vampire since the early 1990s. The
London vampire subculture is an alternative lifestyle
community of people from all walks of life and all ages,
from train drivers to university lecturers, who organise
events such as fang fittings, gothic belly dancing, late
night graveyard walks, and 'carve your own
tombstone'.
Mellins presents an extraordinary
account of this fascinating subculture, which is largely
unknown to most people. Through case study analysis of
the female participants, Vampire Culture
investigates women's longstanding love affair with the
undead, and asks how this fascination impacts on their
lives, from fiction to fashion. Vampire Culture
includes photography from community member and
professional photographer SoulStealer, and is an
essential read for students and scholars of gender,
film, television, media, fashion, culture, sociology and
research methods, as well as anyone with an interest in
vampires, style subcultures, and the gothic.
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