Development Of Bohemianism And Bohemian Subculture In Xxi Century

Introduction

A Bohemian is usually known as a person, artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices. But the bohemian subculture has existed since ancient times. It is unique in few sanctions, virtually no taboos, and very open values. Bohemianism is known as the fastest growing new religion/lifestyle worldwide, though its origins date back to ancient history.

The origins

The term Bohemianism first emerged in the early nineteenth century during a time when financially struggling artists, writers and musicians began to populate the lower-rent, lower class Romani neighborhoods of France. The first historical trace of the “bohemian” was used by the French writers in the early XIXth century while describing gypsies, then a region in Europe was called “Bohemia”, which was full of gypsies, and that is how the term was born. So from very early on bohemia was swathed in nostalgia. The “real” bohemia was always identified in the past.

In the mid-19th century people began self-proclaiming themselves to be bohemian, the term was first applied to American writers and journalists who lived in poverty. Now Bohemianism is being expressed in many different facets during the XXth century and still even today writers, artist, musicians, and performers who are part of the bohemian sub-culture exist in major cities across the world.

Bohemianism 1830’s

By the 1830’s the French Bohemian art crowd and the Romantics embraced medieval and oriental clothing styles. With their own colourful fabrics, long flowing hair, wide rimmed hats, these all came from the artistic resemblance of the Gypsies.

In the Aesthetic Movement Bohemianism became officially a life style. The Aesthetics rebelled agains the rigid social constrains of the Victorian era and embraced a style based on the clothing from the past, particularly medieval dresses and oriental designs. The clothing was loose and soft, using fabrics coloured with organic dyes and oriental designs decorated with embroidery.

American Bohemianism

In 1845, Bohemians began to emigrate to the United States, and it included some of the radicals and ex-priests who had wanted a constitutional government. In 1857 in New York City a group of young journalists self-described “Bohemians”, this was until the American Civil War in 1860. During the war the title 'Bohemian' became synonym of 'newspaper writer”.

The Hippie Movement started in the late 1960’s and incorporated bohemian ideals. It was centred on the creativity of life, and the style included elements of historic costumes, ethnic dresses and the ejection of the mainstream life. Bohemians came first and then the Hippie culture evolved out of the bohemian fashion culture.

Bohemian Style

Throughout the XXth century a large percentage of people adopted Bohemianism in some way or form and each one of them left his or her unique stamp on the Bohemian aesthetic. The Pre-Raphaelite movement, transferred a measure of their fascination with medieval folklore to the Bohemian Style. Their work was often dreamy, romantic and mystical, filled with yearning.

In early 1960’s here were bohemian sirens like Dorelia McNeill, muse and model for the Welsh artist Augustus John, who further popularised the Bohemian lifestyle and fashion. Then her step-granddaughter Talitha Getty, became a bohemian fashion icon.

Modern Bohemianism

In today’s world, the term “Boho” or “Bohemian” is mostly associated with a fashion style or certain way to decorate a home. In fact, the bohemian style has become a real trend over the past few years. The brand “Freepeople”, for instance, is a great example of this bohemian styling trend. But there’s a lot more to it.

We live in a world so highly aestheticised that it is almost impossible for any art to truly shock. New artists and writers more easily find acceptance, if not cash. In a promiscuous democracy of taste, anything goes. Now we know the Bohemian subculture as “Boho-chic” style, and it started in late 2004, it was first associated with actress Sienna Miller and Kate Moss in the United Kingdom, and with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in the United States of America.

As more people began using the term “Boho-chic” it evolved to describe the lifestyle of a gypsy rather from where it came from, and Facebook and other social media used Bohemianism to describe those who lived unconventionally.

Bohemian Lifestyle

The Bohemian lifestyle goes deeper than just adapting the Bohemian fashion sense, is all about living freely and without caring for the world. This lifestyle can be learned and adapted with ease since there is a lot of valuable information about the lifestyle online. The most important thing is learning one thing at a time since, as the assertion says, patience always pays.

Modern Bohemians believe that when they send positive vibes to the world, the positive vibes will always find their way back to them. Bohemians nourish their artistic lives, putting self-expression atop material cravings such as wealth and reputation. Their anti-establishment belief was conveyed through free love, living with only the basics, and sometimes even below the poverty line.

They rejected the bourgeois and lived a contrasting lifestyle; having little material wealth and bearing no permanent residence; liberating themselves with alcohol, drugs, and open sexual relations; and living their artistic pursuits even if they don’t earn anything from it.

The modern bohemian lifestyle has gained popularity simply because it contradicts everything we loathe but have learned to accept over the years. The bohemian lifestyle is filled with music, art, and literature, it is a way of living that embraces the doctrine of freedom over possessions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bohemianism has existed since ancient history, it has just been evolving a long with the human race, it is not something new or something that started in the XXIst century like everyone thinks, and even though there are not many gypsies (at least as many as back in the 19th century) left in the world, their legacy still continues with the Bohemian subculture.

Bohemians live a nomadic lifestyle filled with art, surprises, and adventure. They pay no mind to what others might say about the path they’ve chosen. Their freestyle life basically characterised by few permanent ties, open relationships, expression of identity, appreciation and creation of art. In the aspect of fashion alone, dressing Boho chic offers followers numerous occasions to play with their creative mind and to highlight their uniqueness.

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