The exhibition ‘Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London’ focuses on the impact of Leigh Bowery and Taboo, celebrating the emergence of London’s unique fashion scene in the 1980s. It features vibrant, handmade creations and explores the connections among designers during a time of socio-economic challenges.
The exhibition ‘Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London’ showcases the immense influence of the nightclub Taboo, founded by Leigh Bowery, on London’s art and fashion scene during the mid-1980s. Despite its brief existence, Taboo played a pivotal role in fostering connections among emerging designers who later achieved fame. The display reflects the experimental spirit of the time, filled with handmade, eye-catching pieces often created for personal performance art rather than commercial sale. It offers a nostalgic view into a unique cultural era shaped by socio-economic struggles and creativity.
Taboo emerged in the 1980s as a cultural hub in London, promoting avant-garde fashion and performance art against a backdrop of limited commercial support for designers. Leigh Bowery, a key figure in this movement, not only showcased his work but facilitated collaboration among artists. The exhibition highlights both the struggles and the successes of London designers, revealing how they navigated a challenging landscape to create significant fashion movements. It serves as a historical reflection on the evolution of London’s fashion identity.
The exhibition illustrates the legacy of Taboo as more than just a nightclub; it encapsulates a pivotal moment in fashion history that encouraged bold experimentation among designers. Visitors can engage with the vibrant creativity of the 1980s while reflecting on how far London’s fashion scene has come since then, supported by institutional frameworks that did not exist in that transformative era.
Original Source: www.ianvisits.co.uk