WHAT?  The Face Magazine: Culture Shift 

WHERE?  National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2H OHE

WHEN?   Now until 18th May 

WHY GO?  For a who's who of all the right faces.  Music, photography and style representing the newest of ‘happening’ faces was the original idea behind youth culture bible, The Face which launched in May 1980 to a style curious market who wanted more than New Musical Express but were not yet into the likes of glossy Vanity Fair.

“Essentially I wanted The Face to be good journalism and great photography”, said Editor Nick Logan in his mission statement.

This nostalgic exhibition celebrating the cult title is an art director’s dream featuring the works of over 80 photographers, many of whom are now household names and owe their success to being discovered by the magazine’s creative team.

Kate Moss acknowledges her career was launched by appearing on covers for The Face; Sheila Rock claimed that despite being paid virtually nothing, it was her passport to a lucrative career photographing musicians and stylist Ray Petri became the cool name in men’s fashion creating the Buffalo Boy look.

Madonna, Annie Lennox, David Beckham to name but a handful of famous names, have sat for portraits, while photographers such as Mario Testino, Juergen Teller and David Sims were happy to cancel whatever else was in their diary to shoot for the magazine.

Innovation, a ‘devil may care’ attitude and the willingness to allow photographers total freedom made it the iconic name worthy of being celebrated in this thrillingly seductive retrospective. 

If you have any back issues tucked away, keep them safe, for they are now, cultural works of art!

IN THE KNOW Who fronted the first issue in May 1980? The first cover star was musician Jerry Dammers from ska revivalist band the Specials, photographed looking less than cheerful by Chalkie Davies.  Both names encapsulated the zeitgeist of the moment when music dominated the youth market.

Dammers was known for his trademark gappy smile which he didn’t show in this instance! 

Davies was the key music photographer of the day having collaborated with Logan at New Musical Express.