THE CROWNED PRINCESS OF LONDON COUNTER CULTURE .
Princess Julia
DJ, Artist, Writer, Model & New Romantic
Princess Julia has never really separated life from nightlife. What started in the late 70s, on the edges of punk and into the New Romantics, became a way of living that has carried her through decades of change in London. Here she reflects on her journey and the realities behind those now mythologised culture defining scenes, and why curiosity still sits at the centre of everything she does.
Before Princess Julia became a name people recognise, what do you remember about who you were then — and London at that time?
I grew up in north London, but was born in Hackney. I remember school being a place I wanted to learn. Even then I was very interested in fashion, makeup and music.
I came out of the peripheries of the punk scene of the mid 70’s and then the so called New Romantic scene of the late 70’s. My friendship group always consisted of creative people exploring music, art, fashion. Writers, photographers, designers - people who enjoyed nightlife and dared to be outrageous.
My life has remained pretty much the same before and after the Princess bit came along. Around the mid 80’s when I started DJing at The Daisy Chain we decided to have ‘proper’ DJ names and mine just stuck.
I decided early on to throw caution to the wind and find myself. It’s a continuous exploration even now I see things to relearn. I live very much in the present, I want to be excited by discovering different ways of seeing things. Above all I am eternally curious.
Style clearly came early for you. Do you remember when clothes stopped being just clothes and started feeling like a way of you expressing your identity?
Probably from the age of 8. I clearly remember being very precise about what I wanted to wear even then. I soon discovered places like Biba, Swanky Modes, Seditionaires, and Kensington Market. Indoor markets were definitely a thing for me from the late 70s and through the 80s.
" I live very much in the present, I want to be excited by discovering different ways of seeing things — above all I am eternally curious "
The Blitz Club, Glam and the Soho Gay Scene have become such cultural reference points. What was it really like being part of that world?
I don’t think we thought about being reference points. But we were very dedicated to the way we presented ourselves. We spent hours talking about projects and collaborations, while also finding places to live, struggling to make ends meet, and navigating scorn and homophobia from the general public. We just about managed to ignore outside prejudices; probably because we were so absorbed with our own ambitions and ideas.
The gay scene of the late 70s and early 80s was centred around Earls Court. By the mid-80s a queer scene emerged intermingled with the seediness of old Soho. It was exciting and welcoming for us danger queens. I lived in Soho in the 90s, rents were relatively cheap and there was still an air of underground activity going on. When more queer spaces opened Old Compton Street became a safe haven for us.
" I'm still in love with the dancefloor whether I'm on it or DJing — the sense of freedom, escapism, and the interaction with people, the feeling of being part of something "
Your friendship and creative connection with Steve Strange and the world of “Blitz Kids” was central to that era.
Steve was very focused on creating a club scene that meant something special to us. His dedication to creating his own looks paved the way for us to explore our own individual styles. Remember this was the late 70s, as we continued into the 80s it became apparent the scene had created a platform on which we could all build further creative explorations in so many directions.
There was a wider circle too — including people like Boy George, Stephen Jones. Did it feel like it was the beginning of a movement or did everyone still feel very individual?
Yes, we all collaborated in various ways. In hindsight it did feel like we were creating a new movement, whilst also at the same time presenting our own individual aesthetic and visions.
Bringing it back to the music, Fade to Grey is one of those tracks that instantly places you in a moment and is a huge marker to the New Romantic movement.
Fade to Grey brings back all sorts of memories. It was a time of innocence and adventure. I felt very proud of Steve Strange’s tenacity in fronting Visage and having success with that track. MTV had started up so we had to have a video. I felt very much part of it all even though I only mimed the French dialogue in the video. Steve was quite annoyed I failed to grasp all the words as we embarked on the TV PA’s – but my shyness and nerves usually got the better of me. I still think Fade to Grey has a timeless quality to it
With that there was a big focus on “Dressing up” that helped create identity and family, how important was this?
Nowadays we might use the term chosen family and to my mind that is everything. Throughout my life I have engaged in creative circles, it’s just as important now as it was then.
But that late 70’s moment wasn’t just about music or fashion — art, attitude and self-expression all collided. How important was creativity beyond the club?
We went about our daily lives interwoven with people from all walks of life. Some were at college studying art, so fashion and performance were integral to the scene. I didn’t go to college, but it gave me access to a wider spectrum of artistic expression. My horizons were well and truly broadened.
Music and DJing have stayed with you throughout everything. What does the dancefloor still give you that other spaces don’t?
I’m still in love with the dancefloor whether I’m on it or DJing. The sense of freedom and escapism, and the interaction with music and other people — the feeling of being part of something. It’s something that has stayed with me to the present day.
After all this time, what do you hope future generations take from that period beyond the aesthetics?
The continual humanness of expression and connection. Future generations can take different facets of attitude and turn them into something active, something inquisitive. It’s up to you how you choose to live your life. For me, acceptance and yet a conviction to question everything are key to my existence. They’re what allow me to keep moving forward.
Finally… Where is your SOMEWHERE GOOD?
Everywhere I go… from art galleries to fashion shows. Theatres, cinemas, open spaces, the seaside. Being on my own and sharing the dancefloor with others.
Credits.
Aimee McGhee @shotsbyaimee_ (Corsica Studios RIP)
Charlie Wheeler @charlie_wheeler_
Words. Mick Wilson
EXPLORE MORE
