This Summer Somerset House are hosting a new interactive exhibition that celebrates the stylish individuality of the Rudeboys. The pork pie hat and sharp suit wearing sub-culture that started on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica in the 1950s, inspired by American Jazz, then later brought to the UK via the ska and Two-Tone scene of the 80s and now reignited for the 21st Century in the era of the urban dandy.
Curators Dean Chalkley and Harris Elliott have spent a year photographing these new dapper Rudeboys and Rudegirls across the most stylish and artistic areas of London. Around these portraits Chalkley and Elliott have created an immersive experience of visuals and sounds. Each subject has provided their personal playlist of Rudeboy tunes and these have been collated to create a soundtrack to your exploration of the exhibition. There's also a working barbershop two days a week - that feature obviously caught our eye - which showcases the Rudeboys dedication to grooming, while artisan suitcases built especially for the exhibition to display some of the portraits show the movement's attention to detail.
If like us you're a fan of sharply dressed individuals and stylish photogrpahic portraiture, then you won't want to miss this Summer exhibition.
Return of the Rudeboy is on at Somerset House until 25th August. Admission is free.