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.
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.'
You can read more of Christine's Interview here : Christine Bateman Interview
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