Dress Up Leigh Bowery

A paper doll book featuring iconic looks from the legendary artist

Nicola Rainbird author Daniel Clarke illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Smith Street Books

Publishing:30th Apr '25

£19.99

This title is due to be published on 30th April, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Dress Up Leigh Bowery cover

Step into the provocative, outrageous, and boundary-shattering closet of the legendary Leigh Bowery with this deluxe paper doll book.

Described by Boy George as ‘art on legs’ and painted multiple times by Lucien Freud, Bowery embraced performance, club culture and fashion design to create some of the most iconic looks and moments of the 80s and 90s. His influence is immeasurable and can be seen in the works of prominent artists and designers such as Lady Gaga, Alexander McQueen, Jeffrey Gibson, Anohni, Rick Owens, Gareth Pugh and Maison Margiela, as well as being celebrated on shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race for bold and unapologetic self-expression. This paper doll book features a press-out mannequin and ten of Leigh’s show-stopping ensembles, from his ‘Aunt Jemima’ green checkered two-piece and crash helmet, to the shiny PVC ‘Black Fetish’ suit, or the fabulously OTT ‘Spiky hat’ and red tuille dress, to the spectacular ‘Birth’ look where Leigh ‘wore’ his friend, wife and collaborator, Nicola Rainbird, before figuratively giving birth to her in an unforgettable performance at the 1993 Wigstock in New York..

Beautifully illustrated by Daniel Clarke and accompanied by words from his widow and artistic partner, Nicola Rainbird, who offers personal insight into each look, this book is an officially endorsed title from The Estate of Leigh Bowery that celebrates the artist’s wild, maximalist, and unforgettable contributions to the fashion world and beyond.

ISBN: 9781923239234

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

48 pages