Blitz Afro New Romantics

PHOTOGRAPHY

Apr 10

Blitz Kids and New Romantics were movements with origins in the UK Punk scene, fabulously fabled night clubs in 1980’s London filled with cutting edge kids, art school students and celebrities wearing their most outlandish gender fluid outfits during a backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.

Beauty editor Claudine Blythman

Claudine Blythman was inspired by the eccentric fashion and flamboyant subculture scene of New Romantics / Blitz kids with its origins in London. They were people who used to go out clubbing in London on Tuesdays during the 80s.

Those club nights run by Steve Strange and DJ Rusty Egan were some of the most creative. Celebrities of the time used to attend like Boy George, Marilyn, Alice Temple, Perri Lister, Princess Julia, Philip Sallon, Sade, Barry Kamen, Phil Lynnot, Grace Jones, Martin Degville, Siobhan Fahey, Perri Haines or Chris Sullivan (founder of the Wag club in Soho), as well as the Bowie nights at Billies Club, Blitz Club, Leigh Bowery’s Tabboo Club, all of these clubbing nights were notoriously difficult to get into, unless you had the right/wrong look.

The make-up, hair and styling of the movement were a sensation and a way to express the revolutionary spirit of the time. Many of these were featured in videos of David Bowie. Gene Genie, filmed at Wag Club featuring Grey Scale make-up, the kind of make-up you would see as if you were in black and white film.

If you are more interested to know more about Blitz Kids, we recommend to check documentaries like ‘Blitzed’ directed by Bruce Ashley and Micheal Donald. ‘The legend of Leigh Bowery’ and Michael Clark’s ‘Hail The New Puritan’ both Directed by Charles Atlas are great references of the period.

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick Cool Espresso, La Mer The Lip Balm. MAC Kajal Crayon Flourish Me Deep. MAC Eyebrows Big Boost Fibre
Jacket – Issey Miyake nineteen-eighties archive. Scarf – Hermes Jodhpurs, corsage. Jewellery – Stylists own

Smashbox Always on Gel Liner, Mac Lipmix Black, Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick 7.2 Sepia, Lancome L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick 546, Urban Decay Clear Brow Gel
Harness – Gabriella Marina Gonzalez. Arm warmers – Adam Jones. Jacket – Nineteen-eighties vintage

MAC Chromacake Marine Ultra, Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation 11.5 Warm Nutmeg, Urban Decay Inked Brow Longwear Gel Dark Drapes. Yves Saint Laurent Gel Eyeliner Pencil 1 Noir Intense.

Jacket – Comme des Garcons. Bib and top – Adam Jones. Necklace as pocket chain – Anne Klein.Belt – Martine Rose. Jewellery – Stylists own

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick Cool Espresso, La Mer The Lip Balm, MAC Eyebrows Big Boost Fibre, Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Pencil Granite Black.
Hat – Vivienne Westwood. Scarf - Hermes. Shirt – Robert George Sanders. Necklace – Sixtine Gendre

Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation 11.5 Warm Nutmeg, Urban Decay Inked Brow Longwear Gel Dark Drapes, Khiels Lip
Jacket – Citizen-T. Pendant – Prada Archive. Accessories and sweater – Stylists own

Smash Box Always On Cream Eyeshadow, Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick 7.2 Sepia, Urban Decay Clear Brow Gel, Urban Decay Wired 24/7 Eye Pencil Shock.

Oversized bow – Gabriella Marina Gonzalez. Jacket – Sofia Tsereteli. Shirt – Thomas Pink

Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation 11.5 Warm Nutmeg, Urban Decay Inked Brow Longwear Gel Dark Drapes. Yves Saint Laurent Gel Eyeliner Pencil 1 Noir Intense, Urban Decay Prince So Dark Kajal Eye Pencil
Jacket – Gabriella Marina Gonzalez. Tie – Beth Postle. Shirt – Thomas Pink. Patch – Christopher Raeburn. Corset, Jewellery Stylists own. Jeans – Jaded

Mac Chromacake Magenta, Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick Cool Espresso, La Mer The Lip Balm.
Skirt as hood – Junya Wantabe Shirt – Issey Miyake.

Credits

Photography JC Verona - Make up Claudine Blythman- Hairstylist Kieron Lavine @ Nylon Artists Using Lavine Wigs & Leonor Greyl - Stylist Aaron Francis Walker

Models: Deng @D1 models - Ngozi Arimokwu @PRM - David Alajiki @IMM models

About Claudine

Claudine Blythman is the Beauty Editor at ZERO.NINE Magazine. Having moved from her beloved Liverpool to follow her passion and train at The London College of Fashion, Claudine has established herself as an in-demand international makeup artist with a loyal client base.

Working editorially with publications or at Fashion shows in Milan and Paris, Claudine is regularly called upon for her skills and creativity.

High profile projects for film, TV and music have led her to work with celebrity clients including Taylor Swift, Haim, Jarvis Cocker, Gemma Arterton and Lady Leshurr.

Claudine lives in London with her husband and dog, Ron. To see more of her work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram

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JC Verona

Blitz Afro New Romantics

Blitz Kids and New Romantics were movements with origins in the UK Punk scene, fabulously fabled night clubs in 1980’s London filled with cutting edge kids, art school students and celebrities wearing their most outlandish gender fluid outfits during a backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.

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