In Focus: Ollywood.

 Oly Innes (a k a Ollywood) 26 

Originally from Worthing (just outside Brighton), Oly moved to London 8 years ago to study photography at London College of Fashion. He is a regular party host and a scene heartthrob to both girls and boys alike. Here is an insight into Ollywood world.

 

-What is your style, how would you describe it and your influences?

There's two sides to me I guess. There's a side that always wants to be seen as very masculine and dark. When I feel like that I usually want to do a Tom of Finland look or something "gothy" or horror. Then there's another side of me that is super camp. Problem is, I make the ugliest woman ever, so I usually have to fuck it up a bit to make it work.

- Where do you go out? Which clubs do you like and make you feel most yourself at?

Well I used to work a lot in nightlife so I was everywhere, working at every party that would hire me. Now I go out a lot less and make a lot of effort when I do. I never really feel myself when I'm out. But I love Sink the Pink, Dalston Superstore and bars like The Glory and George and Dragon.

- What is the scene like in your home town? Is extreme dressing up a thing there or is it almost unthinkable?

Worthing is very quiet, it's mostly populated by old people so all the teenagers there are very frustrated. I was shouted at in the street for dressing a bit too strangely as an adolescent. The types of stuff I wear out in London would not be appreciated back there. I try not to go back there too much cos when I do I get sad at how "behind" everyone seems.

- Why do you love dressing up? What does it bring?

I didn't use to dress up much, it's mostly been a recent thing. I gave up alcohol and drugs 7 months ago. I wanted to still go out like I used to but I was finding it hard, I was getting nervous and shy. Wearing a costume is an amazing tool to help me feel more confident and helps me become a character.

- Have you had negative responses to your appearance?

Not really. I've heard of queens being abused in the streets and that's terrible. If you're going out in a look try and get a cab and stay in a group.

- And to end on a more positive note, how has dressing up helped you be who you are?

I see a huge difference between who I am with my friends or at home and who I am when I go out. When I go out I tend to become withdrawn because i get nervous. But when I wear a costume I become an alter ego. I can be sassy with people and be silly without needing to drink or do drugs.  It's been an amazing release for me.

all images ©OlyInnes 

Remembering Leigh

Today's focus is on Leigh Bowery. The most creative, talented and seriously disturbing artist/designer/performer to come out of the Club-Kid scene. In a way we can argue that he created the notion of the Club Kid and pioneered the nightlife club culture with his ventures, most notably the London club Taboo.

His influence is everywhere today, so let's have a look at the person himself...

Haloween's Circus yet again...

Despite being the one night in the year that turns almost every club into a Club-Kid night, Haloween still hasn't lost our trust and brings the freaking looks in full blast. No exceptions this time at Cafe De Paris [cafedeparis.com]  where Circus took over yet again and did not disappoint. See for yourselves..

  Till next time, see you soon!

[images by AntonioGigliotta.com]

WYLD

I popped into the new club night WYLD at the W hotel the other

night and was pleased to see that it is a fresh new hub for our beloved club kids.  The W hotel prides itself with high profile customers and A-list celebrities are often seen there, so it comes as a little surprise to find freaky creatures there, but then again, with the current trend of Lady GaGa-esque world-wide acceptance of the out-of-ordinary and the weird, what more appropriate place than a new sleek club that tries to be cool. 

WYLD is every Wed night at the W hotel, Leicester Square, London

"NEW CLUB KIDS" - The Official BOOK LAUNCH

This Thursday [5th May] we are launching the book that documents our scene - the people, the parties, the outrageous outfits...the good times.

Originally published in What? magazine, here is the opening article by Judah Jordan.

"At a time when the revival and re-interpretation of bygone trends and styles within architecture, music, and fashion has become pivotal in the way we communicate and express ourselves; the club scene is no exception. The resurgence of the Club Kids on the London party scene has not disappointed and a new generation (in an ode to self-expression) has arrived guns blazing, to pay tribute to those daring, eccentrically clad individuals of times past.

Thursday 5th May sees the launch of New Club Kids the first book by Bulgarian born fashion photographer Oggy Yordanov, a regular contributor to WHAT?, who moved to London in early 2001. Yordanov, one who revels in the avant-garde and alternate beauty, based himself in London’s vibrant Soho district and here (camera in hand) began rubbing shoulders with the outlandish individuals that were reviving the London underground club scene.

This pictorial offering of over 300 photographs documents the revival of a subculture that many had forgotten (in some cases never heard of), and with a new generation of Club Kids taking up the reigns, emulating no other than the likes of Steve Strange, Boy George, Leigh Bowery, Michael Aleg and James St. James (from the New York Club Kids), to mention but a few, Oggy manages to encapsulate the nature of these nonconformist individuals in a kaleidoscope of provocation.

England and especially London has always had a history of embracing the avant-garde and zany; far from giving themselves over to the conventionality of the then mainstream punk movement the ethos of Club Kids was firmly established with the founding of the Blitz Club in London’s Covent Garden in 1979, under Steve Strange, and the ushering in of the New Romantics movement. Yordanov’s book offers a comprehensive introduction that documents the start of the New Romantics in the late 70’s with the Blitz Kids, whom in turn inspired the original Club Kids of New York under the joint leadership of Michael Alig and James St. James from the Limelight Club.

The revival of the Club Kids movement here in London, throughout the noughties, is testament to the fact that here is where it all began. The new generation, reincarnations of the wearable art and dressers from Leigh Bowery’s Taboo era, have come into their own with nights like Nag Nag Nag at the Ghetto, Kashpoint, Jodie Harsh’s Circus, Boombox and the list is endless. These are featured in Yordanov’s book of portraits, celebrating the excesses of DIY fashion with double lashings of glitter, and the beauty of letting it all hang out (literally)."

Book launch Thursday 5th May
At Punk
14 Soho Street

New Club Kids By Oggy Yordanov is Published by Prestel available in all good book stores now £16.99

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!