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Culture Shift: Blast from the past at the National Portrait Gallery

Culture Shift is a celebration of the work of 'The Face' magazine, which was my guide through the culture of the 1980s. On display now at London's National Portrait Gallery, the covers and the information displayed provides a fascinating insight into some of the music and fashion that made me (and many others like me).


On until 18 May 2025, Culture Shift brought me face to face (pun intended!) with some real blasts from my past.


My 1980s included George Michael and Paul Weller


The whole of the 1980s was filled with music and finding my style. I turned 17 in January 1980, a few months after my musical shift from clarinet (which I still love and play from time to time) very firmly to the saxophone. I discovered the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, which opened my eyes and ears to music that excited and thrilled my soul. That moved me towards soul and into that realm where jazz met pop, especially with my time in The Style Council.

Alongside all that discovery of music, I waited every month for the new style images brought to me by The Face. I didn't always get it right (there are thankfully few photos of me in the 1980s) but it was fun trying.

Walking around the rooms of the National Portrait Gallery always reminds me how personal style is and Culture Shift was a great reminder of some of my earlier inspiration.

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Location: St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE, UK

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