The Face Magazine: Culture Shift
The Face Magazine: Culture Shift at the National Portrait Gallery celebrates the iconic publication, known for its trailblazing take on youth culture and style.
From 1980 to 2004, The Face played a vital role in creating contemporary culture. Musicians featured on its covers achieved global success and the models it championed became the most recognisable faces of their time. The magazine also launched the careers of many leading photographers, one of which was Derek Ridgers, along with fashion stylists, who were given the creative freedom to radically reimagine the visual language of fashion photography and define the spirit of their times.
Derek Ridgers club archive is featured in the ‘Nightlife’ room along with his portraits of iconic 80’s pop stars Boy George and Bananarama. Derek says of him time shooting for The Face:-
‘The Face was really a music magazine to start with and I simply saw it as an opportunity to get commissioned to shoot bands. The office was very close to the ad agency I worked at in Soho, perfectly situated for an intrusion from a very green but extremely enthusiastic amateur. When my name went onto the masthead of The Face, alongside Pennie Smith and Anton Corbijn, it was one of the proudest days of my life.’ Derek Ridgers
On until 18 May 2025 / Members go free / Find out more/Book now: www.npg.org.uk/TheFace
