Bank Holiday Weekend in the UK
The weather was glorious today in London for the Bank Holiday Weekend (a rarity in itself), and where better to spend it than by the Thames — with a visit to Tate Modern along the way. The Leigh Bowery! exhibition takes you into another world: one where clothes become character, and a costume can completely reshape identity.
Leigh Bowery was at the height of his fame during the 1980s, when I was still a child, but seeing this show brought it all back. I remember him appearing on TV in his outlandish outfits, looking larger than life in a way that was both shocking and impressive.
Exhibition Highlights
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Iconic costumes and photocollages, including archival pieces that push wearable art to its limit.
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Films such as Hail the New Puritan and Because We Must — immersive portraits of Bowery in full performance mode.
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Rare photographs and portraits, including those by Lucian Freud, capturing the intimacy behind Bowery’s public identity.
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Radical transformations of clothing into sculpture, seen in dramatic silhouettes, distorted proportions, and shocking textures.
Fashion as Sculpture
Bowery originally studied fashion in Australia and treated clothes like raw material for radical forms. He built volumes, sculpted the body, and turned the figure into a living canvas of rebellion and art. His creations feel less like garments and more like installations — deliberate, disruptive, unforgettable.
To be honest, it even made me think about my own wardrobe. As a fashion student in the 1990s, I wore far more playful pieces. These days, my wardrobe is much more restrained. I’m not about to go full Bowery (I doubt I could pull it off!), but perhaps it’s a reminder to bring back some of that joy and fun.
The Performance of Objects
What struck me most was how Bowery treated costume as persona — and persona as sculpture. These objects weren’t mere accessories. They were challenges to convention, prompts for interaction, and vessels of identity.
Bowery in London
Experiencing this exhibition in London feels particularly resonant. Bowery made this city both his audience and his stage. He was influenced by its energy, but he also shaped it — most famously through the creation of the notorious Taboo nightclub in the West End.
Taboo drew fashion designers, journalists, stylists, and photographers, alongside familiar names like Boy George, Fat Tony, John Galliano, Katharine Hamnett, Toyah Willcox, and Mick Jagger. The dress code? “Dress as though your life depends on it, or don’t bother.” The club became so iconic that, for a time, it was said to be even harder to get into than New York’s legendary Studio 54.
Closing Reflection
If you can go this week, then go! It’s not your normal gallery exhibition, but it’s great for exactly that reason, so try and visit if you can. It will lift your spirits if nothing else.
Visiting Information
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Dates: Runs until 31 August 2025
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (from September 2025, open until 9 pm Fri & Sat)
Tickets: £20 adult / Free for Tate Members / Discounts for students & Tate Collective (16–25)
Tours: One-hour guided tours available with Tate Guides