When thinking of 80's fashion what immediately springs to mind are images of 'power dressing' (Margaret Thatcher, Madonna, Grace Jones etc) and large shoulder pads, but there was much more to it than that...
What I associate with 80's fashion is a combination of experimental fashion, fun and drama. London's thriving club and music scene intertwined with London's creativity as a fashion capital, sparking young design talent who since have gone on to become some of the biggest names in the industry; John Galliano and Dame Vivienne Westwood to name a few. Galliano famously described Central St Martins as being deserted on a Thursday and Friday because everyone was making their outfits for the weekend.
The 'fashion' clubs of London had a huge influence on the style of the time, and at the same time completely dividing London 'club scene' fashion from the stereotypical notions of 80's fashion. With the new spark of experimental fashion came a change in London Fashion Week, taking it from a jagged affair to a showcase of talent, where designers showed together forming a united front. Margaret Thatcher's government even started to take the industry seriously as a valuable generator of revenue.
One designer summed up London's ability as a spark for young talent at the time as:
"The club scene meant that people used to dress up. It was that whole London scene that was so vibrant; that's what really started young designers going. The art college students used to go to these clubs straight from college - you worked hard but you played hard too. London's rebellious atmosphere: I think that's what pushed us forward."
Through this blog I will explore and evaluate the creative trinity of music, fashion and design of the 80's London club scene; looking at the ideas of the 'independent creator' and the influence of post-modern culture on the fashion designers of the time.
