I’m a journalist, author and commentator on visual culture, and this is my blog, a cultural portal presenting exclusive interviews, information and images.
I began my professional writing career in 1978, working on weekly news for trade publications and in 1983 won the Periodical Publishers’ Association award for campaigning journalism.
In 1990 I was appointed west coast bureau chief of Screen International, reporting on the film industry and based in Los Angeles.
Between 1993 and 1998 I was contributing editor at Music Week, reporting on and profiling executives and artists including Madonna’s manager Freddy de Mann and U2 manager Paul McGuinness as well as Bjork, David Bowie, Oasis and the Sex Pistols.
In 1993 I was recruited by Brian Eno and Anthea Norman-Taylor to their creative think-tank on behalf of the charity War Child, which resulted in events Little Pieces From Big Stars at Flowers East and Pagan FunWear at the Saatchi Gallery.
Between 1994 and 1999, I was contributing editor at Music Business International. During this time I travelled the world and contributed regularly to a wide variety of publications including the Daily Telegraph, Heat, Mojo and Radio Times (and conducted the first interview with the Spice Girls).
A foray into television resulted in a development deal for a trash culture magazine show called The Strip and in 1999 I directed Channel 4 documentary Las Vegas Grind.
In 2000 I delved into music management by signing Latino artist El Vez to Alan McGee’s Poptones label and also worked with Kevin Rowland in 2003 on a Dexys Midnight Runners tour and compilation.
BOOKS
In 2001 I published my first book, The Look: Adventures In Pop & Rock Fashion; visit here to find out more about this and my other books.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Between 2008 and 2010, my fashion label The Look Presents produced seven sell-out clothing collections in collaboration with Nigel Waymouth, Wonder Workshop and Antony Price for Topman in the UK, US and Japan.
I make regular TV and radio appearances on such channels as Sky Arts, ARTE, Resonance and BBC Radio London and l give lectures at design and fashion study days at the V&A and other institutions. I have also spoken at design conferences in Belgium, Denmark and France.
CURATION
In 2010 the publication of the second edition of the Barney Bubbles book was accompanied by the exhibition Process: The working practices of Barney Bubbles. Visit here to find out more about that and subsequent exhibitions I have organised and contributed to.
MAPS/GUIDES
I have been producing maps and guides relating to London’s countercultural and creative activities since 2012.