Iain McKell

In January 1980, having graduated from Exeter Art College the previous year, I had just completed a year-long photography project on the 2-Tone movement when I stumbled across a nightclub sign in Soho that read “Bowie Night.” As a lifelong fan of David Bowie, I walked in and quickly realised I’d stepped into the birth of something new.This was the nascent New Romantic scene: a rebellion not of anger, but of glamour, individuality, and transformation.
At that point the movement didn’t even have a name.Robert Elms would later describe it inThe Face (November 1980) as “The Cult With No Name.” By then, I had already been photographing it for six months. I was ahead of the curve, drawn instinctively to its characters and their sense of self-invention. My vision was to extract these personalities from the club environment and distil them into iconic portraits. I invited those who intrigued me to the Orangery in Holland Park, where I set up a temporary daylight studio. Every Thursday afternoon, I waited to see if they would come prepared dressed, trans- formed, and ready to be seen.To my delight, they did.
For me, this was not just photography; it was an act of celebration. In the intimacy of the studio, away from the chaos of the clubs, I offered time and attention to each sitter. I wanted them to look powerful, beautiful, and iconic, capturing not just their clothes, but their spirit.
This work soon led to commissions for EnglishVogue with Edtor Beatrix Miller and Art Director John Hind, and an appointment with Franca Sozzani at Vogue Italia, beginning a collaboration with her that lasted over thirty-five years. It also connected me with a remarkable community of creative individuals, many of whom became life long friends.
This monograph is the culmination of that journey. It goes beyond fashion or style and speaks to feel- ing and artistic vision. Look into their eyes and you can sense vulnerability, youthful connection, and an atmosphere of possibility.These portraits are poetic, romantic, and timeless an enduring celebration of individuality and self-expression.
I have now self published a photo book New Romantics a monograph of over 50 portraits under the imprint Little Acorn Press to purchase a copy please go to my website shop at www.iainmckell.com £35 + postage every copy is signed by me