The London Fashion Museum’s exhibition delves into the vibrant 1980s club culture, focusing on the influential Taboo nightclub. It showcases key figures like Leigh Bowery and the impact of clubs on fashion and media, celebrating a legacy that resonates with contemporary creative communities.
The 1980s are experiencing a resurgence, influenced by ITV’s drama ‘Joan’ and the return of bubble skirts. An exhibition at London’s Fashion Museum, titled ‘Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London’, explores the creative vibrancy of this era, particularly through the lens of the iconic Taboo nightclub. Despite its brief existence, Taboo was instrumental in the careers of artistic figures such as Boy George, designers John Galliano and Katharine Hamnett, and performance artist Leigh Bowery, who co-founded the club in 1985. The exhibition begins with Bowery’s personal history, featuring his distinctive Star Trek wallpaper before showcasing outfits worn by notable acts like Culture Club and Neneh Cherry on ‘Top of the Pops’. Bowery, known for his extravagant attire and performances, is central to the display, which includes previously unseen designs, such as a corseted dress created for Sue Tilley. Co-curator NJ Stevenson attributes Bowery’s enduring appeal to his commitment to extreme fashion, stating, “In club culture, the look is everything… Nobody did more to push the boundaries than Leigh.” The exhibition also includes works from Bowery’s contemporaries, such as Trojan and Pam Hogg, along with a visual history of clubs like Taboo. Stevenson, influenced by her experiences in the club scene, notes that the rise of youth culture TV programs helped bridge the gap between nightlife and mainstream media. She draws parallels between the 80s creatives and the current generation, highlighting how both eras had to innovate in the face of financial challenges.
The exhibition highlights the cultural significance of the 1980s club scene, particularly through Taboo, a pivotal venue that fostered creativity among artists and performers. It serves as a retrospective on how club culture influenced fashion and media during that time, and the ongoing impact on contemporary art scenes.
The ‘Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London’ exhibition not only celebrates the flamboyant style and artistic contributions of 80s nightlife, particularly from Taboo and Leigh Bowery, but also illustrates the enduring legacy of this creative period within both historical and modern contexts. It connects past and present creative communities, emphasising the ongoing necessity for artistic innovation in constrained environments.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com