# ‘The 1980s turned out to be magic’: David Bailey on the era of excess – in pictures

## Main Content

### Main Image
[](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/mar/11/the-1980s-turned-out-to-be-magic-david-bailey-on-the-era-of-excess-in-pictures#img-5)

David Bailey: ‘The magic of the 80s came as a surprise and possibly turned out to be the most amazing time in London to lead the world in fashion. It was the first time the Americans wanted to come to London instead of Londoners wanting to go to New York. It seemed like London was getting a second chance in fashion, art, theatre and cinema. After years of stagnation it had become a centre for the arts’

### Gallery Images

1. [](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/mar/11/the-1980s-turned-out-to-be-magic-david-bailey-on-the-era-of-excess-in-pictures#img-10)

   Catherina Bailey née Dyer and their son Fenton Bailey, 1988 (American Vogue)

2. [](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/mar/11/the-1980s-turned-out-to-be-magic-david-bailey-on-the-era-of-excess-in-pictures#img-11)

   Kelly LeBrock in Callaghan, 1982 (Vogue Italia)

3. [](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/mar/11/the-1980s-turned-out-to-be-magic-david-bailey-on-the-era-of-excess-in-pictures#img-11)

   Diana, Princess of Wales, 1988 (National Portrait Gallery)

### Topics

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

### Most Popular Articles

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

### Related Articles

- 

### Additional Links

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

### Back to Top



### Copyright

© 2025 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.
```