From Punk Princess to Shoe Boss: Avril Lavigne’s Abbey Dawn Journey

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Long before edgy fashion became mainstream, Avril Lavigne was already turning heads—not just with her music, but with her personal style. In 2008, the pop-punk princess launched Abbey Dawn, a clothing and shoe brand inspired by her rebellious aesthetic and a childhood nickname her father gave her.

Originally known for graphic tees and hoodies, the brand quickly expanded into a full-fledged fashion label, offering everything from plaid skirts and studded accessories to bold, punk-inspired shoes. In 2011, Avril and her team gave Abbey Dawn a major makeover—revamping the line and taking it to the global stage, including New York Fashion Week.

While its presence has scaled back in recent years, Abbey Dawn remains active as of 2025, with Avril herself modeling in campaigns as recently as 2021. Whether you’re nostalgic for its early days or discovering it for the first time, Abbey Dawn remains a standout example of celebrity-driven, punk-rock fashion—with some killer shoes to match.

Avril Lavigne rocks her signature sleek, straight blonde hair with oversized black aviator sunglasses, adding a cool, effortless edge to her punk-inspired lookAvril Lavigne rocks her signature sleek, straight blonde hair with oversized black aviator sunglasses, adding a cool, effortless edge to her punk-inspired look

The Personal Story Behind the Name

Founded in 2008, Abbey Dawn takes its name from the nickname Avril’s father gave her as a child. “It was a street he saw,” she said in an interview about her dad, Jean-Claude Lavigne.

“And all my friends in high school called me Abbey. I always really liked the name. I didn’t know if maybe I would name my girl Abbey if I had a girl one day, or a song name. So I had a clothing line first, so I named it Abbey Dawn.”

In addition to the t-shirts, hoodies, and jewelry they’re already producing, they expanded the merchandise to include dresses, skirts, handbags, eyewear, a full men’s collection, and our main point of interest, SHOES.

Avril Lavigne rocks her signature punk style in studded combat boots, fishnet tights, and an oversized Abbey Dawn tee at a promotional event for her fashion brandAvril Lavigne rocks her signature punk style in studded combat boots, fishnet tights, and an oversized Abbey Dawn tee at a promotional event for her fashion brand

A Punk Rock Aesthetic With Avril’s Signature Style

Of course, true to Avril Lavigne’s never-changing persona, the newly expanded Abbey Dawn line is punk rock-inspired, bombarded with studs, skulls, and plaid print elements. As for the new shoe collection, Avril described the flow of the design process as such:

It started off with my favorite things to wear, and I wanted it to be rock ‘n’ roll. I took [materials] that I love and added them to the shoes. And I never go into a mall and find super rock ‘n’ roll [shoes].

Avril Lavigne says her high school friends would often call her "Abbey"Avril Lavigne says her high school friends would often call her “Abbey”

Promoting Abbey Dawn on the Global Stage

Avril aggressively promoted her Abbey Dawn clothing line, starting at Bread & Butter in Germany in July and at the MAGIC Marketplace Convention in Las Vegas in August.

Avril Lavigne channels her signature punk princess style in a black tulle dress, ripped leggings, and studded combat boots at an Abbey Dawn event, adding a playful edge with her iconic tongue-out poseAvril Lavigne channels her signature punk princess style in a black tulle dress, ripped leggings, and studded combat boots at an Abbey Dawn event, adding a playful edge with her iconic tongue-out pose

Abbey Dawn Hits New York Fashion Week

In September 2011, Avril finally presented her relaunched Abbey Dawn clothing line to the US market during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City.

Avril Lavigne embraces her edgy glam aesthetic in leopard-print platform boots, star-print leggings, and a slouchy graphic hoodie at the Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 fashion show during Style360 in New York CityAvril Lavigne embraces her edgy glam aesthetic in leopard-print platform boots, star-print leggings, and a slouchy graphic hoodie at the Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 fashion show during Style360 in New York City on September 12, 2011 (Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN / C.Smith)

Kylie Jenner’s Runway Debut for Abbey Dawn

Avril Lavigne’s Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 presentation was also the fashion show where Kylie Jenner, the youngest member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, made her modeling debut. Kylie got the gig thanks to half-brother Brody, who briefly dated Avril Lavigne.

It’s a wise use of connections where both parties mutually benefit from the exchange. Kylie Jenner made her runway debut, and Avril Lavigne got some extra publicity courtesy of the Kardashians, who attended the fashion show to support their sister.

Kylie Jenner makes her modeling debut at the Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in NYC on September 12, 2011Kylie Jenner makes her modeling debut at the Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in NYC on September 12, 2011

The Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 Shoe Collection

The first Abbey Dawn shoe collection for Spring 2012 consisted of 39 styles, including pumps, wedges, heels, boots and flats, and flip-flops. The shoes in the collection retailed for approximately $50.00 to $80.00.

If you think these shoes look like the shoes from Iron Fist, that’s because the same San Diego-based company, Blank Generation, handles both brands.

👟 Featured Styles from the Collection

How do you like these Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 shoes? Check ’em out below!

Abbey Dawn stars and stripes peep toe pumpsStars and stripes peep toe pumps

Abbey Dawn leopard print studded peep toe pumpsLeopard print studded peep toe pumps

Studded buckled wedge bootiesStudded buckled wedge booties

Studded t-strap platform sandalsStudded t-strap platform sandals

Skull buckled studded platform peep toe bootiesSkull buckled studded platform peep toe booties

Abbey Dawn skull studded open toe flatsSkull studded open-toe flats