http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/09/eighties-fashion-remember-the-pioneering-self-expression-not-the-leg-warmers-3587949/ newport international group fashion review, Eighties fashion: Remember the pioneering self-expression, not the leg warmers There was more to the 1980s than neon leg warmers: a new book about fashion magazine Blitz argues it sparked vibrant self-expression. It’s hard to believe three decades have passed since the punks and New Romantics defined London’s cultural identity. Flamboyant, shocking and political, the subversive stylings of clubbers from hedonistic havens such as Heaven, Blitz, Kinky Gerlinky and Taboo are now synonymous with a period of originality, glamour and shock value. This is when dressing up was the ultimate form of self-expression, cost or label be damned. At the heart of this movement, a triumvirate of style bibles – The Face, I-D and Blitz – collectively defined what was fashionable at the time. Now, the last is being celebrated in a new book, As Seen In Blitz: Fashioning ’80s Style.

1. Eighties fashion:
Remember the pioneering
self-expression, not the
leg warmers

2. There was more to the 1980s than neon leg warmers:
a new book about fashion magazine Blitz argues it
sparked vibrant self-expression.It’s hard to believe
three decades have passed since the punks and New
Romantics defined London’s cultural identity.
Flamboyant, shocking and political, the subversive
stylings of clubbers from hedonistic havens such as
Heaven, Blitz, Kinky Gerlinky and Taboo are now
synonymous with a period of originality, glamour and
shock value.This is when dressing up was the
ultimate form of self-expression, cost or label be
damned. At the heart of this movement, a triumvirate
of style bibles – The Face, I-D and Blitz – collectively
defined what was fashionable at the time. Now, the
last is being celebrated in a new book, As Seen In
Blitz: Fashioning ’80s Style. As fashion director of
Blitz from 1982 to 1987, writer Iain R Webb was the
perfect candidate to plunder the archives. A lavish
compendium of editorials he orchestrated during his
time there, As Seen In Blitz eschews the format of a
traditional coffee table book in accordance with the
ethos of the magazine.

3. ‘Blitz was intended to cover a broader spectrum – arts, music, film, TV,
even a bit of politics,’ says Webb. ‘This sense of diversity was reflected
on my fashion pages. I was happy to feature Jean Muir next to avant-
garde poster boy Jean Paul Gaultier, along with friends – Bodymap,
Stephen Linard and Leigh Bowery – who were just starting out.
‘I used whatever clothes were needed to make the story. A lot of things
featured came from charity shops or we knocked them up on a sewing
machine. Looking back, I realise my fashion stories were an artistic
construct rather than about selling clothes or a desire to be trendy by
wearing the right thing.’
As well as the vintage editorials, As Seen In Blitz features contributions
from creatives who used the pages of the magazine (which ran from
1980 to 1991) as a launchpad to the positions they now hold as some
of the most prominent figures in fashion. With names such as Gaultier,
Stephen Jones, Calvin Klein, John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Nick Knight,
Pam Hogg and Vivienne Westwood, the list of contributors is testament
to the regard in which Blitz is still held.

4. ‘As model Amanda Cazalet notes in the book, Blitz was a home for misfits and
vagabonds,’ says Webb. ‘We all lived on the outskirts of society and found
strength and sustenance by coming together. We joined forces, encouraging
each other and sharing ideas.’
‘Because there was little or no money involved, everyone was doing it for the
same reason with the same aim. The magazine gave us a stage on which to
present our version of the world, an alternative way of looking at fashion. We
shared a vision and worked together to put that on the pages.
‘It wasn’t always easy but I think it’s fair to say that everyone felt the end result
would be worth the effort. I’m so thrilled my fellow collaborators enjoyed the
process. I know I did. They were crazy times.’
Though the images in the book are 30 years old, it’s remarkable how much of a
reference point they continue to provide to designers, stylists and photographers
today. Though often maligned for the sartorial disasters it spawned, the 1980s
continues to be one of the most influential periods for fashion. ‘A huge variety of
looks collided and coexisted during this period,’ says Webb. ‘The emphasis was
on personal style and what you wore was more likely influenced by an old movie
or new lover than a picture in a magazine. This is a very seductive proposition
for a generation that has grown up on a diet of fast fashion and cool branding.

5. ‘The pages of Blitz were intended to inspire the
readers to experiment with fashion rather than go
shopping.’
While variations on 1980s fashions continue to
appear on catwalks and in high-street stores, the
originals are coming to London in July, with the V&A’s
next exhibition, Club To Catwalk: London Fashion In
The 1980s. As Seen In Blitz is a perfect prelude,
featuring many of the creations due to be displayed.
So why are we fascinated by the 1980s?
‘There are obvious similarities between the broken
economic and political landscape of the early ’80s
and now,’ muses Webb. ‘I hope this book resonates
with a new breed of fashion freaks and inspires them
to go out and be creative. I just hope they have as
much fun as we did.’
More articles here:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/09/eighties-fashion-remembe

6. ‘The pages of Blitz were intended to inspire the
readers to experiment with fashion rather than go
shopping.’
While variations on 1980s fashions continue to
appear on catwalks and in high-street stores, the
originals are coming to London in July, with the V&A’s
next exhibition, Club To Catwalk: London Fashion In
The 1980s. As Seen In Blitz is a perfect prelude,
featuring many of the creations due to be displayed.
So why are we fascinated by the 1980s?
‘There are obvious similarities between the broken
economic and political landscape of the early ’80s
and now,’ muses Webb. ‘I hope this book resonates
with a new breed of fashion freaks and inspires them
to go out and be creative. I just hope they have as
much fun as we did.’
More articles here:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/09/eighties-fashion-remembe