The new exhibition, “Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London,” at the Fashion and Textile Museum, vividly captures the creative energy of 1980s London through the lens of performance artist and fashion designer Leigh Bowery, who served as a catalyst for a radical scene blending fashion, music, and nightlife. Focusing on 1985, during the height of Taboo, the show highlights a vibrant community of artists and musicians, including Boy George and John Galliano, who thrived in Soho’s nightlife, utilising their talents to express individuality and rebellion through extravagant fashion. Co-curator Martin Green aims to pay homage to these fashion renegades, stating, “There was incredible excitement and a unique energy about London at that time; the show is called Outlaws because this crowd were very much their own people, doing things their own way.” The exhibition showcases the influence of this eclectic group, showcasing outfits and styles from the era and reconstructing significant spaces like Browns boutique and Hyper-Hyper market stalls. Emerging designers faced financial challenges yet thrived on ingenuity, opting for recycled materials and DIY aesthetics reminiscent of Duchamp’s found art. Personal stories from individuals, such as Dean Bright, highlight the rapid rise of designers in this vibrant scene, emphasising how limited resources fuelled creativity. Green reflects on the lasting impact of this period, noting that today’s fashion continues to resonate with the rebellious spirit of the past. Bowery’s mantra encapsulated the ethos of the time: “It’s 1985 so dress as though your life depends on it, or don’t bother.” This philosophy, combined with the palpable sense of possibility in the London fashion sector, created an environment rich with experimentation and boundary-pushing style.

The 1980s in London were marked by a flourishing counterculture that intertwined fashion, music, and nightlife, especially in clubs like Taboo, where Leigh Bowery played a pivotal role. This era produced a surge of creativity among young fashion designers and performers who embraced flamboyance and individuality, often working with limited resources. The exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum seeks to explore this vibrant community’s legacy, focusing on their influence on fashion and subversive culture, and how they contributed to the emergence of modern aesthetics and gender fluidity in fashion today.

The exhibition “Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London” at the Fashion and Textile Museum effectively showcases an extraordinary time in London’s cultural history, where music and fashion coalesced to form a distinctive identity. Through the exploration of Leigh Bowery’s influence and the resourcefulness of emerging fashion designers, it highlights the importance of creativity, individuality, and community. The legacy of this era continues to inspire contemporary fashion, demonstrating that the rebellious spirit of the 1980s remains relevant.

Original Source: www.forbes.com

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White Cube in Bermondsey will host a major solo exhibition of Jeff Wall’s work starting on 22nd November 2024. Titled ‘Jeff Wall: Life in Pictures’, this exhibition marks 30 years of collaboration with the artist and showcases over 40 significant works spanning from the 1980s to today. Wall’s photography, bridging documentary realism and artistic composition, offers complex reflections on urban life and historical narratives. The exhibition follows a series of recent shows in Europe and precedes further exhibitions in 2025 at notable venues such as MAAT in Lisbon and Museo di Arte Contemporanea in Toronto.

Jeff Wall is renowned for transforming the landscape of contemporary photography through his unique blend of realism and staged art. His works often resemble cinematic scenes, challenging traditional photography’s boundaries and inviting deeper contemplation on societal themes. This upcoming exhibition at White Cube not only celebrates his artistic journey but also highlights his influence and the cultural weight of his contributions over three decades.

The upcoming exhibition, ‘Jeff Wall: Life in Pictures’, at White Cube Bermondsey is a significant retrospective, celebrating Wall’s unique approach that melds realism with staged art. With a history of collaboration that spans 30 years, this show will highlight over four decades of his impactful works while continuing to engage audiences worldwide through subsequent exhibitions in 2025.

Original Source: fadmagazine.com

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