Siouxsie “Exposures – A photoshoot, 1982”

In January 1982, photographer Sheila Rock captured Siouxsie Sioux for the cover of the February edition of The Face magazine, the ground-breaking ‘style bible’ launched by Nick Logan in 1980. That single image of Siouxsie swiftly became iconic, yet almost two hundred photos from the session remained unseen and in Rock’s private archive for over forty years. Siouxsie: Exposures unveils sixty-eight rare and previously unpublished photographs from the Face session, offering an exceptional frame-by-frame insight into a cultural icon at the peak of her visual power.

The inspiration for the shoot was taken from Rock’s two-month journey through Japan in the autumn of 1981. While visiting Tokyo's Harajuku district Sheila became captivated by the crowds of theatrically dressed teenagers who met to dance to their favourite music. Making the connection between Japanese and British youth cults of the time, Rock knew that Siouxsie would be a perfect to model for British post-punk take on this street-style. The photo shoot took place at Rock’s Ladbroke Grove studio as a collaboration with London designer Lloyd Johnson. The graphic lines and boldness of the fabrics from Johnson’s ‘Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide’ collection matched Siouxsie’s energy and striking look – and also reflected the spirit of the youth tribes who would congregate at places like Kensington Market and Kings Road, Chelsea. “When Siouxsie stepped into the clothes, it was like a light bulb came on. If you give an idea to someone who has as much style as Siouxsie, they just run with it.” Since the early 1970s Sheila Rock has been a pivotal force in documenting music and street style. From the birth of punk to the New Romantic movement and beyond, her work is synonymous with British subculture. Alongside over 68 beautifully restored photos this volume includes exclusive new interviews with both Sheila Rock and Lloyd Johnson plus a review of Siouxsie's enduring legacy in the post-punk landscape.