The eighties were a fashion era that stood for power – the power of shoulder pads, big blazers, voluminous hair and an everything-is-possible-attitude. Artists like Madonna, Prince, Grace Jones or Boy George influenced a whole generation with their signature styles, and they quickly became synonyms with self-expression and experimentation. Fashion as a tool for self-expression became equally embraced by the performers of voguing, a dance that had its origins in the gay black community in Harlem in the early eighties. Madonna introduced it to the mainstream with her song Vogue and the film Paris is Burning made it even more popular. To this day, it symbolises a movement that provided queer people of colour with a safe space for self-expression.
In this editorial, photographer Mia Clark stages her models in a pure setting that does not distract from the colourful, dancer-like outfits and the models’ theatrical poses. The bold styling, bright colours, glamorous materials and over-the-top attitude pays tribute to the importance of extravaganza and exaggeration.
Full Look MIU MIU, Tights WOLFORD
Left: Full look MULBERRY ENGLAND; Right: Dress ALEKSANDRA SEWERYNIAK, Head piece MONIC MILLINERY, Earring HARUMI HATTA
Hat ISA ARFEN, Dress ALEKSANDRA SEWERYNIAK, Earring FEIHEFEIHEFEIHE
Full look PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND
Shirt A.W.A.K.E., Long gloves ALEKSANDRA SEWERYNIAK
Full look PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND, Earring FEIHEFEIHEFEIHE
Dresses PAULA KNORR
Dresses PAULA KNORR, Shoes GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI
Photographer MIA CLARK
Stylist MEGAN ANNE MANDEVILLE
Models WEBSTER at NII AGENCY and FINITA at THE SQUAD
Make-up REBECCA DAVENPORT
Hair JOE BURWIN
