The exhibition is on display at the Kensington based museum from the 20th September until the 29th March 2026.
The Design Museum is set to explore and celebrate the legendary Blitz club night that helped to transform the 1980s London style to help shape and form popular culture over the next decade, including fashion, music, film, art and design.
Based in Covent Garden, the club was a springboard for the careers of pop stars including Spandau Ballet, Visage, Boy George (he was the cloakroom attendant) and Marilyn. Other people to frequent the club included designers, artists, filmmakers and writers such as couture milliner Stephen Jones, Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton, and BBC broadcaster Robert Elms.
The club was presided by Steve Strange and gained a reputation in the national press for its outrageous outfits, wild characters and futuristic music. Spandeu Ballet were the only band to perform there live.
This exhibition will feature over 250 items: clothing and accessories, design sketches, instruments, flyers, magazines, furniture, artworks, photography, vinyls and rare film footage. It promises to offer a “sensory extravaganza”, with among its highlights including: the synthesiser that Spandau Ballet recorded their first album with, striking ensembles worn by club goers, and Steve Strange’s own leather garments. Many of the items have been seen for 45 years.
To book tickets visit: https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/blitz-the-club-that-shaped-the-80s