Fashion
History has always had its golden moments of change and by 1978 in the UK, this took on the form of a new movement of style, one that was to eclipse the grand dame of punks Vivienne Westwood' and her then partner Malcolm Maclaren's movement. This was another group independent free spirited 18 to 20 year olds, with their multi coloured hairdos teamed with clothes statement's of their own creation or made by their imaginative friends. This collective energy force was to turn London's music, fashion, art and finance head in a spin.
They chose to shun the excepted norm and took fashion to reflect their
visual political statement and it was worn all day & everyday, on public
transport and to the supermarket. At night, these changelings came into
their own, having a natural platform to express themselves every Tuesday
night, at The BLITZ CLUB, spearheaded by their contemporary's and the nights
host STEVE STRANGE. At the club, this body of creative minds would strived
to create ideas that would move the bench mark in the world of art, music,
fashion, finance and everyday living, as it was then. Like mind people
would merge and listen to electronic inspired music, played by STEVE's then
business partner in crime DJ/Producer RUSTY EGAN. Under the eagle eye of Mr
Strange, the door policy that night was so strict, Steve vetted people at
the door, to ensure the melting pot was perfect. And for new designers,
STEVEN would champion their work, from Judith Franklin spectacular black
taffeta evening wear, to Melissa Caplan checked steel grey and cafe o lay
tabards over her tailored slate grey trousers, to Willy Brown's muted stone
or royal blue cotton drill suits and pants in paired down military uniform
look, to must have W/Browns 90% grey marled pants-that David Bowie bought,
to Darla Jane Gilroy's triangular suede studded collars and cuffs in tan
with gold studs or her black with silver, that were more akin to Japanese
warriors in 1980's movie Kagamusha and sold to one of the best stores in the
world "Maxfield" in LA when she was still a student, and PX New Romantics
destination store, where Helen Robinson designer star was manager Rosemary
Turner, Rosemary was on hand to keep STEVE in the loop on PX fine cotton
cross over tops and trousers, (these items become New Romantic signature
pieces after the MR S STRANGE had worn them), downstairs of PX housed milliner
Stephen Jones now super star in the fashion world. Mr Jones superb head
gear, was worn by Kim Bowen-now top stylist in LA and was then Stephen's
muse, girl about town & part time sales gal.
Text By Stephen Mahoney, Media Consultant and Fashion Editor
Visit The Steve Strange Gallery To See Some of the Fashion of Steve Strange