Roxy on life as a glamour goth

Roxy North - never leaves the house without her lip gloss!

It's hot to be a glamour goth!

As celebs like Agyness Deyn and Fearne Cotton show off the latest look to hit the catwalks, we find out what being a goth in Lancashire is like.

Roxy North from Rishton has dressed "alternatively" since the last year of primary school.

She recalls:"I was old enough to decide what I wanted to wear and I remember my mum getting me my first leather jacket from the school jumble sale and a pair of bright purple Doc Martens."

Vamp

The 28 year old still loves to vamp it up and never leaves the house without her lip gloss; in her favourite shade of black of course!

Although proud of her individuality Roxy says she never set out to make a statement. "I used to hate standing out but didn't want to compromise on what I wanted to wear.

"I have always just worn what I like and have always been interested in unusual things. Now I'm older and used to the attention, it can be quite fun."

So what does she think of the goth look being bang on trend with the fashion set? "It's great! I've always loved the look and it is really versatile which is part of the fun of it."

Party

She gets to dress up as part of her job running a party shop. "It's right up my street. I especially love Halloween because there's lots of spooky things!"

In her spare time she plays in a brass band. Unlike in her day job, her purple, red and black dreadlocks can raise eyebrows. "People are shocked when they find out I'm in a brass band.

"People can have preconceived ideas about goths and a brass bander isn't one of them; I've had people jump to the conclusion I'm into devil worship and other wild activities because of my appearance."

Open arms

Roxy plays the flugel horn in the Old Hall Brass. Her husband John is the conductor. "They are a great bunch of enthusiastic people who welcomed our off the wall appearance with open arms. We all want to improve our playing and make great music and what we wear isn't an issue."

Roxy and husband John both play in a brass band

The couple invited friends along to a concert who were pleasantly surprised because they enjoyed it. "It was quite funny seeing the front row filled with heavily tattooed and pierced friends all wearing black and loving it!"

It is not just classical music she is into. Roxy also likes goth rock and used to play bass for Violet Vortex, a Preston based gothic electro metal band.

She is happiest at the Whitby Goth festival, an event which celebrates goth culture. "You can relax and just be a face in the crowd; it is one of my favourite times of the year."

Dark side

Roxy has experienced a dark side to dressing alternatively, though. "I've been taunted just for walking down the street and on one occasion I was pelted with rocks."

She said she wasn't altogether shocked at the murder of Sophie Lancaster in Stubbylee Park, Bacup in 2007. Sophie was set upon by youths after she tried to protect her boyfriend Robert Maltby who was attacked because he was a goth.

"I don't think any of my friends could say they haven't been victimised one way or another so we have great empathy with Sophie's family.

"I didn't know Sophie personally but we are all saddened by her tragic death and attend many of the charity events in her memory."

Roxy thinks perceptions have changed since her death and she applauds the SOPHIE charity and the work they do. "I think all the publicity has made people think twice about their actions.

"Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everyway is an amazing life ethic for everyone to live by."