A Short History of the German SS Uniform and its modification by Gackt

[karadin.livejournal.com]

*General's note - This discussion is particularly on the uniform,
and the connotations of the uniform when it is used as a costume in performance.



SS Uniform Germany circa 1942 -GACKT Rebirth Album 2001                     

 

The 'Nazi' Uniform, more specifically the uniform of the Schutzstaffel (SS) of the German Army of the Third Reich is one of the most recognized military uniforms in the world, it's impact doubtless from countless film depictions of the Second World War, in which the'Nazi' is cast as the villain, from Raiders of the Lost Ark to the basis of Darth Vader's armor in Star Wars.  

In Gackt's second album 'Rebirth' he wears a modification of the SS Uniform (six inch heels not regulation) He adopted this uniform because of it's connotations with evil in human form. In the promo film for the tour for this album, he played a short film where he was a solider brought back to life, who then turns upon his creators.

The SS was formed as the personal bodyguard of Adolph Hitler, and expanded after his rise to power to spread into the regular German Army.

 In 1932, Heinrich Himmler introduced the all-black SS uniform, which was designed by SS-Oberführer Prof. Dr. Lars Bonne Rasmussen and graphic designer Walter Heck.

While many uniforms were designed throughout the years for the SS,  the all black uniform is the most well known, being designed  to project authority and respect. (and subsequently, fear)  The Black white red color scheme was shared by the Nazi Party, 

In 1938 pale-grey uniforms began to replace the black in Germany, this was to help in blending the SS into the regular army,  The original black uniform was rarely worn in Germany due to the fact that to the populace, black signified army shirkers and political-party bullies.

*The power of the uniform to still shock the public was proven when British Prince Harry wore an SS uniform to a costume party, causing such outrage he had to make a public apology.

**There is a new film coming out with Tom Cruise in the role of a 'good' German officer, one who leads the now famous 'plot to kill Hitler' and you will see he and his confederates dressed in grey, it will be interesting to see if the filmmakers  follow history correctly, or put the 'evil Nazi's' in their familar black uniforms.

POST EDIT - To go by the appearance of Gackt on MUSIC STATION, he's decided to make the uniforms for RR2 less indicative of the SS uniform, choosing plain black overcoats, without any insignia or armbands. This may be in keeping with the new theme of Gackt's character the Cyborg Proto awakening to his 'former self' and becoming ZERO.

Other RR2 images (specifically the manga art) put Proto-Zero in a decidedly SS uniform, so we will have to see what the new tour brings!

 

 

Comments

[koshien.livejournal.com]

No matter what kind of point or artistic image is trying to be built by using an SS uniform I find it personally very uncomfortable to watch if an artist is performing in one. If that's the point, fine! I respect that but I'll turn it off, my choice then. Aesthetically I adore the uniform itself, it's incredibly smart and attractive and probably the best uniform design ever. Nice one Hugo Boss.

Of course there were a number Japanese performers who used SS themed uniforms/regalia before Gackt but I think Gackt is one of the most high profile performers to have worn something like that recently.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

yes, we've had it ingrained in our consciousness, that's for certain, I would not have the same reaction to say, Crusaders, or Vikings, and oh, Visigoths. Aesthetically they are pleasing, and they were designed to be so.

I am alarmed to see references to the Nazi's adopted in some forms of entertainment - for example, the pastiche of 'Triumph of the Will' the Nazi propaganda film in the Disney animated movie 'The Lion King' - blech (its why I won't watch it)

I thought maybe Gackt got the idea for the costume from the contemporary hit manga of the time 'Trinity Blood' because with the reddish hair, he's a dead-ringer for the character Dietrich, who is a Neo-Nazi.

[koshien.livejournal.com]

Nope Dietrich isn't a Neo-Nazi, Rozencreutz are something MUCH different, pre-dating Nazism, more akin to Da Vinci code style kind of secret society kind of thing. It's pretty clear in the manga that it's basically a backlash organisation against the Catholic church, which of course in later times was a Nazi thing even though Hitler and many Nazi's were originally and some even stayed catholic.

Na I think Gackt was following the angura idea of the uniforms (he liked wearing WWII Japanese uniforms in MM so I think it's more a throwback to that). Gackt was probably trying to be edgy and bring a bit of angura style into what he was doing since R+R was a very experimental album for him. Mars might of had different styles of music on it, but it wasn't musically experimental like Rebirth was. I think he was trying also distance himself from VK in the same stroke since angura style is kind of anti-VK even though there are costumes and makeup etc. Also Gackt has strong nationalist feelings so to a certain extent so the angura philosophy appealed too I think.

ps Angura Kei >>>>>> Visual Kei

[karadin.livejournal.com]

So Dietrich is Proto-Nazi? ;D Still hot, for all that.

I remember Gackt wearing the Japanese uniform, I wonder what the reaction in Japan is to that, I had heard that until recently, the Japanese did not venerate their kamikaze pilots, mainly because many felt that the last rush of throwing themselves at the enemy (the Battleship Yamoto for one) was a horrible waste, but of course, that's never the rank and file's fault.

[koshien.livejournal.com]

Nazism is very specific though, and I find it interesting that alot of the Rozencreutz stuff focuses on all the ye olde Teutonic mysticism crap that the party guys were fond of and bonded over in the pre-party days. Of course with a large dollop of plain old fascism, which of course is harked back the ancient twig and axe ideas. The fact that Rozencreutz are the one faction that has humans, vampires and creutsnik and THEN embracing the Vatican folk (ie Catherina and Tres) as defectors joining the cause the antithesis of Nazi idealism.

Well some of the crazy nationalist guys who drive around in rising sun vans shouting go home gaijin have always loved their kamikaze. Sad to say I'm often very sceptical of what Japanese say about their own history, just look at Yasukuni, or the bukarumin issue. They don't like to talk much about that, even amongst themeselves.

[tanfouk.livejournal.com]

I've never seen a photo of the GacktJob RR collar tabs large enough for me to figure out what the design was. Don't know why I fret over such things, but I suspect if Gackt wears it, it has meaning.

[tanfouk.livejournal.com]

Oh, another note for anyone actually interested in this stuff: Much of Nazi military heraldry, such as the black/white/red/gold color scheme, was based on the battle flags of the Teutonic Knights. Oh yeah, I had ancestors in Koenigsberg - but I think they were more interested in fish than religion.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

the standards and the eagles were based on those of the Roman Empire as well, guess the Reich knew where to nab their insignia from.

[roseduellist.livejournal.com]

....Man oh man, if Gackt's not careful, he's gonna insult a LOT of people. o__o

[karadin.livejournal.com]

He did this costume back in 2001, so its nothing new! and I look at it as costume, if someone chooses to be offended, well that's up to them.