The New Romantics
The new romantics were a pop culture movement which started in the late 70s as a response to the punk music which had begun to peak in that era although it borrowed elements from glam pop. I think that it borrows from both - its punk combined with disco which was another big movement during the 70s. The New Romantic movement, which has seen a revival in our recessionary times, was marked by outrageous make-up, flamboyant clothing and new wave pop music.
We often associate bands such as Duran Duran, Adam and the Ants and Culture Club with the movement, fashion wise it was all about maintaining a look which was outrageous using make-up in wild colors all over the face and body, frilly shirts, quiffs, mullets and crimped hair.
Pop stars such as David Bowie who performed at the time as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars heavily influenced the look and magazines such as I:D began to document the street style by photographing the young kids they saw attending clubs in London such as Blitz, which was run by Steve Strange. The competition amongst the clubbers to wear more flamboyant clothing was fierce, much like our club scene today really. Famously, Strange denied entrance to Mick Jagger!
The movement fell in decline after 1985 the same year as the Live Aid concert as many viewed the movement as becoming too over the top it eventually faded away by the late 80s as bands like the smyths became popular. New Romanticism entered fashion, as all good street trends eventually do and was said to be the inspiration behind Vivienne Westwood's famous 1981 pirate inspired fashion show. The show, her first was designed with Malcom McLauren, who worked with a few of the more high profile New Romantic bands of the era.
I think in recent times we have seen a revival as it has once again become popular to experiment with clothing and make-up as part of a regular night out. However I think that instead of it being localised to one particular scene, it is more wide spread. I wrote about this two years ago at the height of the recession in THE magazine as I examined clubs like SPY who ran club nights like WAR which in its original day were filled with frilly shirts, outrageous make-up and insane clothing. Interestingly enough the two decades have something in common - both were suffering from a serious recession. The recession in Ireland during the 80s was almost identical to what we have today and the UK was no better. Funnily enough, recession breeds creativity and new ways of thinking.
It is interesting that the two recessions have brought about new approaches to fashion and clubbing.
I think one of the best examples of New Romantic fashion can be seen in the 2011 movie,
'Worried About the Boy.' With stars Douglas Booth as a young boy George starting out on the scene in the 1970s. The film, which features clothing by Vivienne Westwood and make-up by Illamasqua make-up artist Christine Bateman. Bateman is one of the best make-up artists you could possibly get to provide make-up for the movie as she was not only a new romantic in the day, but she knew Boy George, Steve Strange and the nightclubs! She talks about her experiences :
'I
lived it. My nickname was Skunk! I had this stripe of blonde on black. I
was a cross between a Mod and a New Romantic; backcombed to death and
drenched in make-up: lots of kohl, a beauty spot and all that. Body art
was massive back then.'
'We
[Christine, her sister Nicola Bowery, Boy George, Steve Strange,
Marilyn et al] used to go to all the nightclubs; The Blitz, Billy’s,
Taboo – the nightclub owned by Leigh Bowery [legendary
designer/performance artist/actor/singer/model who heavily influenced
the 80s and 90s London and New York art and fashion circles, which
included the likes of Alexander McQueen, Lucian Freud, Vivienne
Westwood, John Galliano and numerous Nu-Rave artists]. It was all one
big party scene and a creative hotbed of ideas. It was all about the
fashion and the fun.'
Pop stars such as David Bowie who performed at the time as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars heavily influenced the look and magazines such as I:D began to document the street style by photographing the young kids they saw attending clubs in London such as Blitz, which was run by Steve Strange. The competition amongst the clubbers to wear more flamboyant clothing was fierce, much like our club scene today really. Famously, Strange denied entrance to Mick Jagger!
I think one of the best examples of New Romantic fashion can be seen in the 2011 movie, 'Worried About the Boy.' With stars Douglas Booth as a young boy George starting out on the scene in the 1970s. The film, which features clothing by Vivienne Westwood and make-up by Illamasqua make-up artist Christine Bateman. Bateman is one of the best make-up artists you could possibly get to provide make-up for the movie as she was not only a new romantic in the day, but she knew Boy George, Steve Strange and the nightclubs! She talks about her experiences :
'I
lived it. My nickname was Skunk! I had this stripe of blonde on black. I
was a cross between a Mod and a New Romantic; backcombed to death and
drenched in make-up: lots of kohl, a beauty spot and all that. Body art
was massive back then.'
The collection is said to be typically Marni with bold colors, mixed patterns and bright colors - all perfect for clashing and color blocking. It seems as if it's going to be one of the most exciting Spring high street collections! Huzzah! Marni are hoping that the collection will speak to the younger generations and appeal to a wider audience - if that purple polka dot suit hits Dublin then I predict just that happening.
In my house, the dogs are considered part of the family. We have two border collies which are almost like family members. Which is all I am going to mention about my family and the dogs since I am still getting a slagging about the last time I mentioned my family on this blog. (Hi guys, I know NOW your reading this!) So as I found myself googling the answer to my fashion related pug question, I came across this Etsy website that specialises in dog cartoon prints, cards and, wait for it, CUT OUT DOG PUPPETS! Brillant! 
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