Press: Diva Magazine

What a way to head into April! With my tees, badges and choker on the front of one of three special edition 25 year anniversary covers of Diva Magazine; A leading publication for Lesbians and Bisexuals.

Thanks to stylist Lauren Jobling, I even got to come along and assist on the day; taking an active role in presenting my pieces for the final look 'Rebel Dykes'.

Shot by Linda Blacker all three covers are inspired by iconic eras in lesbian & queer history. The rebel dykes movement was an underground punk squatter lifestyle that predates the Riot Grrrls and yet, has somehow has gotten lost in the noise.

"Before there were queer activists, before there were Riot Grrls, there were the Rebel Dykes of London. They were young, they were feminists, they were anarchists, they were punks. They lived together in squats and at Peace Camps. They went to political demos every Saturday, they set up squatted creches and bookshops, feminist newspapers and magazines. They had bands like Poison Girls, Mouth Almighty, The Darlings and Well Oiled Sisters… This documentary film is being made because the history of the London Rebel Dykes of the 1980s is in danger of being forgotten. Rebel dykes created their own world, made their own rules, and refused to be ignored. So we can’t let history tidy them away."

I put together three tees and a selection of badges especially for the shoot. I wanted to pay tribute to the protests and issues of the 70s that lead up to the movement - incorporating slogans on badges like 'Lavender Menace' and 'Anita dear, shove it'. As well as various standout protests in the 80's like 'Gays & Lebsians support the miners'. I wanted to try and evoke the era by being super referential without directly copying. I feel like if you were there or familiar with imagery from the era that there would be quite a few recognisable moments.

The tees needed to pay tribute to the spirit of protest and I also wanted to tip my hat to the Chain Reactions fetish night and a quote I noted in a Timeout article on the Rebel Dykes place in London's queery history.

‘I’ve got a photo of me carrying a banner that reads: “Brixton Dykes Demand Wages for Bashing Bailiffs”,’ says Rebel Dyke Atalanta Kernick. ‘It’s a play on a campaign for women demanding wages for housework. Another was made out of pink mesh and had cats embroidered on it. It said: “Brixton Dykes Make Pussies Purr”.’ - from the Timeout article by Kate Lloyd

'Making Pussies Purr' was wayyyy too good of a slogan not to put a spin on! I wanted a really kitch kitty to go with the sentiment. I love the way it turned out. I definitely want to reuse the cat at some point.

The 'Dykes on the Rampage' tee pays tribute to the Sluts from Outta Space banner from Pride 1988 Jubilee Gardens. I did think about using the 'Feminaxe' zine motif as well but worried it would have looked too crowded.

I think the Chain Reactions inspired tee might be my favourite; the little chain in the top right corner a tongue-in-cheek nod and the rest of the image is a divine tongue-in... erms - elsewhere - celebration of female libido.

To see the full spread and read all about it, be sure to pick up a copy of Diva Magazine.

Big thanks to the whole team for letting me tag along!

If you'd like to learn more about this revolutionary 1980'smovement, then keep your eyes peeled for the forthcoming Rebel Dykes documentary.