Club to Catwalk - London Fashion in the 1980s


 

I recently saw the exhibition 'Club to Catwalk' at the V&A museum which celebrates the link between London's emerging club scene in the 1980's and the breakthrough designers of the day.

On display were creations by Katherine Hammnet, John Galliano, Betty Jackson and Vivienne Westwood set against the backdrop of the New Romantic, Fetish, High Camp and Acid House scenes.

The experience evoked personal fashion memories of pagan prints, baggy androgynous long coats and cropped hair, huge exotic knits, doctor martins and 501's. I've set out below pieces from the Marshmallow archive that give a feel for what was generally being worn on the streets and in the not so exclusive clubs at the time. 

The exhibition runs at the Victoria & Albert museum, London until February 16th 2014.

 

 

(top to bottom: cotton printed coat dress by Santi Sanur, Betty Jackson cotton and leather shoes, Warehouse pink jersey long cardigan, appliqué Italian  leather boots by Tolin, drawstring linen and leather bag - unknown origin, cotton jersey animal print dress by Lydiane - Paris)