Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London @ Fashion & Textile Museum
On Friday 4th October, the Fashion & Textile Museum in Bermondsey launches their new exhibition ‘Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80’s London’. Derek Ridgers portrait of Leigh Bowery photographed at his home in 1987 is selected as the poster image along with a limited edition print and postcard to celebrate the exhibition.
The exhibition centres around the legendary nightclub Taboo, opened by designer and performance artist Leigh Bowery in 1985. Imposing ‘dress as though your life depends on it, or don’t bother’ as the dress code, the Taboo circle – which included fashion designers BodyMap, Rachel Auburn, John Crancher and Pam Hogg, dancer Michael Clark and pop star Boy George – sparked a scene that used the language of hedonistic excess to create fashion, art and popular culture.
Displaying original garments and accessories from Leigh Bowery and over thirty designers, including custom-made pieces from private collections and rare pieces from designers such as John Galliano, John Flett, Stephen Linard and Dean Bright amongst others, plus photography, film and artworks, the exhibition focuses on this vibrant alternative arena where the anarchic energy of the night spilt over into experimental creativity by day., the exhibition will run until 9th March 2025.
