The 1980s was a poignant era in fashion history. It saw the birth of London Fashion Week and institutes such as the British Fashion Council. It was a period of social and economic unrest which from which formed subcultures and fashion genres such as the Punk and Goth and the club scene exploded.
The fashion exhibition area was brimming with iconic designers who were key to the decade. Statement snippets of Vivienne Westwood, Betty Jackson, Katherine Hamnett, John Galliano and Paul Smith amongst others were encased behind the glass panels on the ground floor. At this time, London style became defined as individual in its own right. Designer Georgina Godley described 80s London as “all about taking risks and creating something out of nothing through passion and ambition,” and this is evident through these designers and their creations.
Climbing the stairs and faced with a mirror questioning ‘would you let you in?’ the top floor of the exhibition takes you to the iconic Blitz club with a queue of mannequins dressed in trends of the time. Inside the Blitz booth is a series of screens playing a montage of 80s club footage, creating an atmospheric feel. This level focuses on the different rebellious subcultures which seemed to form in this decade. Punk, headed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, has a consistently heavy influence on recurring anarchic fashion trends to this day. Goth again is still a strong force and combines elements of punk and fetish. The ‘Ravers’ captured a sensationalist attitude full of metallic and day glo whilst the New Romantics channeled an androgynous vibe pioneered by the likes of Boy George and David Bowie.
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This exhibition truly transports you back to the 1980s and educates on the fashion and popular culture of the time. Eighties influence on current trends is a frequent reoccurrence so seeing how it was done the first time round is a great insight for future fashion. Club to Catwalk is the perfect compliment to the constantly sold out David Bowie retrospective which is also at the museum until the 11th August 2013.
The event will run until February 2014 with tickets costing just £5.00 so there’s plenty of time to check it out.
Have you visited the V&A Club to Catwalk exhibition? What did you think?
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