Blitz and Beyond
The New Romantic Revolution
Will be published approx. on 13. August 2026
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-78840-659-8 (ISBN)
Description
An exclusive, definitive visual and narrative account of the New Romantic movement from a photographer who was there.
While many musical styles have been labeled 'post-punk,' the New Romantic movement transcended the 'no future' ethos of the late 1970s like no other. In the dimly lit bars of Soho, a group of extravagant youths emerged, dressed in flamboyant and striking attire - ushering in a cultural moment that would define a generation.
Photographer Graham Smith was at its core, capturing over 500 extraordinary images that reveal this vibrant, groundbreaking scene in unparalleled detail.
This book offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes perspective on a movement that visually shaped a decade and left a lasting influence on music and fashion. Featuring a brazen text by Chris Sullivan and exclusive forewords boy George, Gary Kemp, and the late Steve Strange, this is the definitive photographic and narrative record of one of the most creative, bohemian, and influential movements of the late twentieth century.
While many musical styles have been labeled 'post-punk,' the New Romantic movement transcended the 'no future' ethos of the late 1970s like no other. In the dimly lit bars of Soho, a group of extravagant youths emerged, dressed in flamboyant and striking attire - ushering in a cultural moment that would define a generation.
Photographer Graham Smith was at its core, capturing over 500 extraordinary images that reveal this vibrant, groundbreaking scene in unparalleled detail.
This book offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes perspective on a movement that visually shaped a decade and left a lasting influence on music and fashion. Featuring a brazen text by Chris Sullivan and exclusive forewords boy George, Gary Kemp, and the late Steve Strange, this is the definitive photographic and narrative record of one of the most creative, bohemian, and influential movements of the late twentieth century.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Octopus Publishing Group
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 201 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
1279 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78840-659-8 (9781788406598)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
approx. 08/2026
Cassell
€26.99
Not yet available
Persons
Graham Smith (Author)
Graham Smith - aged 18, in the midst of the punk explosion, Graham Smith picked up a camera. He would spend the next six years photographing bands, most of them his mates and contemporaries, becoming unofficial house photographer to the burgeoning London nightclub scene. During this period he also designed the record sleeves, posters and flyers for many of the scene's bands and clubs.
Concurrently DJing and running one-nighters with fellow DJ Robert Elms and promoter Chris Sullivan at the St. Moritz and Le Kilt, followed by a residency as DJ at the original Fridge in Brixton.
Graham went on to have a career as an award winning magazine art director and graphic designer. In 2025 he had photographs and designs displayed in London's Design Museum exhibition Blitz: The club that shaped the 80s along with the National Portrait Gallery's The Face Magazine: Culture Shift exhibition.
Chris Sullivan (Author)
Chris Sullivan - studied at Camberwell and St Martin's Colleges of Art and in 1978 began running regular warehouse parties, followed by one night clubs such as the St. Moritz, Le Kilt and Hell with Steve Strange and Rusty Egan. In 1981 he signed a record deal with Virgin Records for his band Blue Rondo a la Turk. Two years on, he opened the Wag Club in Wardour Street, which he ran for the next 18 years.
His career as a writer began with The Face in the early 1980s and became regular contributor to Loaded and Style Editor at GQ. He wrote the highly acclaimed book Punk followed by Punk: The Last Word in 2025. He writes for several newspapers and style magazines.
Ever the renaissance man he's also known as a DJ, painter, lecturer and a campaigner for human rights, heading up the Artists for Gaza charity.
Graham Smith - aged 18, in the midst of the punk explosion, Graham Smith picked up a camera. He would spend the next six years photographing bands, most of them his mates and contemporaries, becoming unofficial house photographer to the burgeoning London nightclub scene. During this period he also designed the record sleeves, posters and flyers for many of the scene's bands and clubs.
Concurrently DJing and running one-nighters with fellow DJ Robert Elms and promoter Chris Sullivan at the St. Moritz and Le Kilt, followed by a residency as DJ at the original Fridge in Brixton.
Graham went on to have a career as an award winning magazine art director and graphic designer. In 2025 he had photographs and designs displayed in London's Design Museum exhibition Blitz: The club that shaped the 80s along with the National Portrait Gallery's The Face Magazine: Culture Shift exhibition.
Chris Sullivan (Author)
Chris Sullivan - studied at Camberwell and St Martin's Colleges of Art and in 1978 began running regular warehouse parties, followed by one night clubs such as the St. Moritz, Le Kilt and Hell with Steve Strange and Rusty Egan. In 1981 he signed a record deal with Virgin Records for his band Blue Rondo a la Turk. Two years on, he opened the Wag Club in Wardour Street, which he ran for the next 18 years.
His career as a writer began with The Face in the early 1980s and became regular contributor to Loaded and Style Editor at GQ. He wrote the highly acclaimed book Punk followed by Punk: The Last Word in 2025. He writes for several newspapers and style magazines.
Ever the renaissance man he's also known as a DJ, painter, lecturer and a campaigner for human rights, heading up the Artists for Gaza charity.