ICA Off-Site: 30 Years of British Subculture (2000's-Present Day)

This section of the exhibition focused on how subculture has heavily influenced contemporary British Fashion. Arguably, during the past 10-15 years, high-fashion has become the new underground. This is because of organisations like Fashion East  and NEWGEN (who also endorsed this exhibition) who help nurture and propel young, fresh, innovative British talent into the fashion industry. Fashion East and NEWGEN helped launch the careers of Louise Grey, Henry Holland, Gareth Pugh Giles Deacon, Sibling, J.W Anderson, Christopher Shannon and Meadham Kirchoff, all of whom were featured in this exhibition.  

What these designers all have in common is their bold, irreverent,colourful, non-conformist style which unmistakably has its roots in British subculture and is particularly influenced by the boundryless style of the 1980's club scene.  

Knitwear Designs by Sibling

A quilt made of fabric samples designed by Fashion East designers 

Designs by Gareth Pugh

Louise Grey's latrine that she curated herself

Fashion show invitations by Meadham Kirchoff and Christopher Shannon

It also highlighted the underground East London club nights which were hangouts for these designers whilst the were establishing their careers such as BoomBox and Vogue Fabrics, which attracted creative crowds with extravagant, over-the-top outfits much like famous 1980's London clubs.  

Photos of young designers who were part of Fashion East and NEWGEN, taken whilst out partying in London, including Louise Grey, Henry Holland, Gareth Pugh and Giles Deacon.