Report: 80s Punk Icon Dead At 58
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Punk Iconoclast Helped Shape Look Of British Punk Scene
Wildly creative and forever in a league of his own, 80s punk icon Judy Blame is dead at the age of 58.
Born Chris Barnes in Leatherhead, Surrey, Blame’s journey to become one of punk’s leading fashion icons began after running away to London at 17 before spending two years in Manchester. He ultimately decided to make his way back to London where Blame gained notoriety in the local club scenes for his unique approach to fashion – one that found him repurposing trash and thrown away goods from the Thames River to turn into jewelry.
Where Did Blame’s Inspiration Come From? It’s Easy:
“When we [Brits] haven’t got the money,” Blame once said. “We have to use our imagination. I used to go and scavenge around, the River Thames.”
By the time the eighties reached a fever pitch, so had Blame’s career; he went on to be involved in the founding of the art collective known as the House of Beauty and Culture, and even as the punk movement began to die down and give way to other genres and fashion movements Blame still remained one of the genre’s most influential figures, consulting for and with various big name designers and played a crucial role in shaping the images of Boy George, Björk, and Australian pop star Kylie Minogue.
Fans and friends took to social media to remember Blame today:
At the time of this writing, Blame’s cause of death is unknown. Our hearts go out to his loved ones during this difficult time, and we’re eternally grateful that he left such a brilliant mark on the world. Rest easy, Judy Blame.
