The Face Magazine: Culture Shift

Opening on February 20th, 2025, The Face Magazine: Culture Shift exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery celebrates the cultural impact of The Face, a pioneering magazine that shaped youth culture and fashion from 1980 to 2004. This groundbreaking publication not only launched the careers of iconic models like Kate Moss, but also helped define contemporary visual culture, influencing both music and fashion worldwide. The exhibition, which runs until May 18th, 2025, will showcase over 200 photographs by more than 80 photographers, including Sheila Rock, Stéphane Sednaoui, and Corinne Day, providing a rare chance to view these legendary images outside the context of the magazine.

Curated by Sabina Jaskot-Gill, Senior Curator of Photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, alongside curatorial consultants Lee Swillingham and Norbert Schoerner, the exhibition dives into the creative and cultural legacy of the magazine. A notable highlight is the exploration of the revolutionary fashion photography of the time, such as Corinne Day’s raw, documentary-style portraits of models, which defied traditional glamour standards and celebrated a more authentic, gritty aesthetic. Another standout project is Stéphane Sednaoui’s dynamic, high-energy images that blended music, fashion, and street culture, influencing how we view modern style.

The exhibition will also feature an extensive publication, offering deeper insights into the magazine’s transformative role and its ongoing impact on visual arts today. The Face Magazine: Culture Shift promises to be a unique exploration of fashion history and a tribute to the creatives who reshaped how we see the world.