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Series exploring the relationship between British music and fashion. This episode examines the 1980s - the decade when, thanks to the music video, image became everything.

Just how did Britain become the place where the best music goes with the most eye-catching styles? Lauren Laverne narrates a series about the love affair between our music and fashion, looking at how musicians and designers came up with the coolest and craziest looks and how we emulated our idols.

British pop and rock is our great gift to the world, at the heart of the irrepressible creative brilliance of Britain. But it has never just been about the music. Across the decades we have unleashed a uniquely British talent for fusing the best sounds with stunning style and fashion to dazzling effect.

The final episode in the series takes us into the 1980s - the decade when, thanks to the music video, image became everything. From Dexys Midnight Runners in their austere work wear and dungarees, through the flamboyant new romantics of London's Blitz club, the anti-fashion statements of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark to the band with the image that typified the decade - Duran Duran. The episode ends, as the decade did, with the emerging popularity of urban street wear led by Jazzie B and Soul II Soul.

But this isn't just a story of brilliant musicians and maverick designers, it's a story that touches us all because at some point in our lives, we've all delved into the great dressing-up box and joined the pageant that is British music and fashion.

59 minutes

Last on

Sat 9 Jun 2018 00:30

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Music Played

  • Josh Record

    House

  • Billy Idol

    Dancing with Myself

  • ABBA

    The Winner Takes It All

  • Dexys Midnight Runners

    Geno

  • Dexys Midnight Runners

    Dance Stance

  • Dexys Midnight Runners

    Keep It

  • Dexys Midnight Runners

    Come On Eileen

  • Dexys

    Nowhere Is Home

  • Visage

    Fade To Grey

  • Spandau Ballet

    To Cut a Long Story Short

  • David Bowie

    Fashion

  • David Bowie

    Ashes to Ashes

  • Visage

    Mind of a Toy

  • Kajagoogoo

    Too Shy

  • A Flock of Seagulls

    Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)

  • Culture Club

    Karma Chameleon

  • Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Enola Gay

  • Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Maid of Orleans

  • Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Genetic Engineering

  • Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Secret

  • Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    4-Neu

  • Duran Duran

    Rio

  • Duran Duran

    Hungry Like the Wolf

  • Duran Duran

    Is There Something I Should Know?

  • Duran Duran

    Ordinary World

  • Soul II Soul

    Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) (feat. Caron Wheeler)

  • Double Trouble & Rebel MC

    Just Keep Rockin'

  • Rebel MC & Double Trouble

    Street Tuff

  • Soul II Soul

    People

  • David Bowie

    Sound And Vision

  • Small Faces

    Itchycoo Park

  • ABBA

    The Winner Takes It All

  • Visage

    Fade To Grey

  • Kajagoogoo

    Too Shy

  • Culture Club

    Karma Chameleon

  • Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Enola Gay

  • Duran Duran

    Rio

  • Duran Duran

    Is There Something I Should Know?

  • Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler

    Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)

  • Soul II Soul

    Jazzie's Groove

  • David Bowie

    Sound And Vision

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Lauren Laverne
Executive Producer Steve Condie
Series Producer Matt Hill
Director Matt Hill

Broadcasts