Popular youtube archive from the 80s Club Kids

With Christmas upon us, it's time to reflect and get cosy on the sofas....and watch anything that our screens throw at us, so I am hoping that the following selection of videos will entertain you as much as they did us. Late 70s and 80s were times of social rebellion that affected popular culture and left a mark on arts, music and fashion, ultimately leading to the birth of a multitude of social subcultures but none more exciting and unique than the New Romantics (UK) and the Club Kids (US). They combined creativity with party lifestyle and with an admirable dedication to individuality they challenged the social acceptance. They set new rules for generations to come and we are now experiencing revivals of the movement all over the world. My book documenting the new wave of club kids in London (published in 2011) is still selling worldwide and I get many emails and messages on social media from people who tell me that it inspired them and opened a whole new world that they were hungry for.
So let's reflect on times past and have a laugh along the way. Enjoy these and Merry Christmas! 

As Seen In Blitz - book launch

Some of you might have already seen the new book "As seen in Blitz" dedicated to the hayday of the Blitz movement when the now cult magazine was the hip must-read of a whole generation. The book features a detailed insight into the most memorable content of the Blitz Magazine. In celebration of the launch of the book, the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London is throwing a glitzy launch party (by invite or ticket only) and here is the memo:

We're Not Here To Sell Clothes: The Making of BLITZ Fashion

18 May 2013 - 19 May 2013 - We are delighted to celebrate the launch of Iain R. Webb's new book As Seen in BLITZ: Fashioning '80s Style with a series of special events. Over the weekend there is a pop-up show in the ICA Theatre curated by former fashion editor Iain R Webb, a series of talks with special guests, and film screenings. As Seen in BLITZ: Fashioning '80s Style focuses on 1980s style and culture and includes a wealth of stunning visuals, text and interviews celebrating the deeply influential pages of BLITZ. In London at the start of the 1980s, three new style magazines emerged to define an era. It was a time of change: post punk before the digital age and at the dawn of a hedonistic club scene that saw the birth of the New Romantics. On the pages of BLITZ, The Face and i-D, a new breed of young iconoclasts hoped to inspire revolution. As BLITZ magazine's fashion editor from 1982-87, Iain R. Webb was at the centre of this world. His images manipulated fashion to explore ideas of transformation, beauty, glamour and sex. The magazine's arresting, subversive fashion pages, and its profiles of disparate designers and creative types, let the imagination run free.The cast of characters and contributors include Leigh Bowery, Amanda Cazalet, Boy George, Princess Julia, Nick Knight, David LaChapelle, Paul Morley and Anna Piaggi. Featured designers include Bodymap, Judy Blame, Dean Bright, Comme Des Garçons, Jasper Conran, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Katharine Hamnett, Hermès, Pam Hogg, Marc Jacobs, Stephen Jones, Calvin Klein, Andrew Logan, Issey Miyake, Franco Moschino, Rifat Ozbek, Antony Price and Vivienne Westwood.'We're thrilled to be hosting the launch of As Seen in BLITZ. It's incredible to think who passed through the pages of BLITZ magazine - Malcolm McLaren, Madonna, Daniel Day-Lewis... I couldn't have survived the 80s without it.'
Gregor Muir, Executive Director, ICA

You can try booking your ticket here: http://www.ica.org.uk/37313/Talks/A-Weekend-with-BLITZ-Magazine.html?utm_source=Blitz+PV&utm_campaign=9f8e27a0f9-Blitz_Mag4_10_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9c96fa0287-9f8e27a0f9-413170333#booktickets

Taboo in Brixton

Last week the brilliant musical Taboo returned to London at its 10th anniversary. We strongly recommend seeing it even in this new, more-humble offering as it is really an eyenopener to the younger club kid, a reminiscence at a bygone era that changed the way we party, dress and celebrate the creative self-expression that manifests in extreme dressing up.

The musical runs until february 2013 at the Club House Brixton ( literally 10 feet from the station, so worry not) and celebrates the life and art of Leigh Bowery, Boy George and his ever-so-flamboyant sidekick Phillip Salon (*see older posts).

A fresh new addition to the cast is Sam Buttery, who is channeling the inexplicably captivating Leigh Bowery, while Alistair Brammer dazzles as Billy, the bi-curious leading man and Matthew Rowland is of course, the perfect Boy George.
There you have it, you are summoned. No excuse.

             

EASTER CIRCUS

Last week saw the third Circus party this year and of course it didn't disappoint. With performances by Scottee and the crucified Medusa , it offered yet another Easter Disturbia. 


Under the skillful management and tenacity of promoter Jodie Harsh, Circus has become a must-go for the extravagant London clubbers and has been around for good five years now. I feature it a lot in my book and will soon have a detailed review on this blog. Until then, let's have a look at what some people were wearing last Sunday, shall we!

In Focus : Philip Sallon

I first met Philip in 2001 when I arrived in London and hit the party scene. If you're a club kid and go out more than thrice a week, it's inevitable that you will bump into Philip sooner or later. With his signature Vivienne Westwood attire and a bubbly personality, it would be highly unlikely to miss him. Being one of the forefathers of the London's Blitz Kids scene, Philip has played a vital role in its transition from the late 70s to it's current proliferating state where we see so many new kids following in his footsteps.

From a Punk to a New Romantic, to the modern day socialite establishment that he is, Philip has managed to stay an original, funny, exuberant and often sarcastic bur never rude, nor blunt, and altogether very inspirational and entertaining person.

This is a sad moment as I just learned that he had an incident and has been taken to hospital with a head fracture and other injuries. The incident happened on Saturday at Piccadilly Circus and still there is no news about what happened and how.

Let's all take a moment and wish him well and our hopes for speedy recovery. He is one of a kind.

        

his most recent birthday party at the "Home" club                                  at the Vivienne Westwood show - Paris 2011

Here are a few videos to give you an insight into his character.