Enjoy a private tour of Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London with curator NJ Stevenson. Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to ask questions and hear behind the scenes detail, all while the exhibition is closed to the general public.
Hear how the legendary nightclub Taboo, opened by designer and performance artist Leigh Bowery in 1985 came into being, imposing its famed dress code ‘dress as though your life depends on it, or don’t bother’.
Delve into 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.
View 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.
Tours are limited to 20 people. Entry begins at 9:30 and the tour starts at 10:00 lasting around 45 minutes, participants are then welcome to browse the exhibition and museum shop at their leisure.
The exhibition is curated by Martin Green, Duovision Arts, and NJ Stevenson. Artistic Director David Cabaret. Creative Consultant James Lawler, Duovision Arts.
About the speaker
NJ Stevenson is a fashion curator, author, and lecturer at London College of Fashion. She is curator of the current display, ‘Do a Ruby Keeler – The Boy Friend: Period film and retro fashion in 1971,’ at the Fashion and Textile Museum. NJ Stevenson also curated Billy: Bill Gibb’s Moment in Time at the Fashion and Textile Museum in 2008. Recent publications include, ‘A Continuous Connection’ in Kaffe Fassett: The Artist’s Eye, (Yale University Press 2022) and ‘Shirley Russell and the Role of The Boy Friend in 1970s Retro’ in ReFocus: The Films of Ken Russell (Edinburgh University Press 2023).
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Confirmation email: Once you have made a booking, you will receive a confirmation email detailing all the information you will need prior to your event, this is your event ticket. You will also receive a reminder email one week prior to your event.
Event details: Please check your confirmation email for the start and finish times of your event. Upon entry, please present your ticket(s) on your device or a note of your booking reference number. Exhibition entry is included in your ticket, you are welcome to view the exhibition before or after the event.
Eating and drinking: No food or drink is permitted in the Museum, other than bottled water. The Fashion and Textile Museum is located in the heart of Bermondsey Street, surrounded by award-winning restaurants, cafes and pubs. So, if you would like to enjoy a meal or a drink before or after your visit, there is plenty to choose from.For more information, check out our plan your visit page or our FAQs.