Riotous photos of posh Brits partying through the '80s

Cutting his teeth at high-society mag Tatler, Dafydd Jones spent the Thatcher years leaving his rundown sublet in London to photograph the ruling class running amok.

Established in 1709, Tatler was a stalwart of the old guard, faithfully chronicling the comings and goings of the British upper classes. Its fate was closely tied to that of the nation, falling into decline after World War II – until Tina Brown took over the editorship in June 1979.

Recognising the enduring allure of wealth and its discontents, Brown restored Britain’s oldest magazine to its former glory by devising a glossy that was equal parts glamour, romance, decadence, and impudence. Determined to tell stories that reflected the cross currents of the ruling class during the Thatcher years, Brown searched high and low for the perfect photographer.

While paging through the Sunday Times magazine in 1981, she happened upon the work of Dafydd Jones, who was finely attuned to the nuances of privilege and youth. Struck by his intuitive understanding of Britain’s Bright Young Things, she commissioned Jones to photograph then-Lady Diana Spencer at Sandown Park.

He returned with an eerily prescient photo of a young woman alone, the target of paparazzi whose relentless hunger would hound her until death. The photograph ran as a double page spread and marked the start of a collaboration that would span eight years and some 9,000 rolls of black and white film.

Top to bottom: Lucinda West and Olivier de Fallentons, James McMullen’s 30th birthday, Cliveden, 1986. Elizabeth Pulford being fed candyfloss. Cambridge University Charity Ball, Guildhall, 1985.

“The Tatler was run on a shoestring but had a buzzing office with an air of excitement,” Jones remembers. “I liked Tina because she was very direct, but more importantly because she hired me as an unknown young photographer. I moved to London to work for the magazine. I found a sublet room in a rundown house in an insalubrious area and yet would be going out in evening dress to glamorous parties.”

Learning on the job, Jones developed his signature style, blending charm, mayhem, and wit into a whirlwind tour of balls, regattas, hunts, polo matches and weddings. Now, Jones looks back one that pivotal era in the new book, England: The Last Hurrah (ACC Art Books).

With Jones crafting indelible images of generational wealth run amok, Tatler became emblematic of the legendary excesses of 1980s Britain. “At the time it felt like a world that had always been there and hadn’t really changed. What was new was that through the pictures in the magazine it was being revealed,” he says.

Newmarket Beagles Ball, Whitbread Brewery, April, 1989.

Jones quickly became an essential fixture on the scene, his sparkling images of mischief and debauchery welcomed by all. “I would walk around, looking, and photograph whatever and whoever stood out – anything that was happening,” he says.

Long before Nigella Lawson and Hugh Grant rose to fame, Jones photographed them for the magazine, recognising in them an innate star power. This sixth sense applied across industries.

“I have wondered now why at a party for 500 people, out of the 30 or so people I photographed, why did I select the young men that would later become England’s prime ministers?” Jones wonders. “Maybe they had a kind of charisma. Perhaps it was just luck.”

Follow Miss Rosen on Twitter.

Enjoyed this article? Follow Huck on Twitter and Instagram.

You might like

Vibrant book covers against bleak, rocky hills and buildings; 'Babylon' and 'Albion' text in bold lettering.
Culture

Dalia Al-Dujaili: “When you’re placeless, nature can fill the void”

Babylon, Albion — As her new book publishes, the British-Iraqi author speaks about connecting with the land as a second-generation migrant, plants as symbols of resistance, and being proud of her parents.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Three orange book covers with the title "Foreign Fruit" against a dark background.
Culture

Katie Goh: “I want people to engage with the politics of oranges”

Foreign Fruit — In her new book, the Edinburgh-based writer traces her personal history through the citrus fruit’s global spread, from a village in China to Californian groves. Angela Hui caught up with her to find out more.

Written by: Angela Hui

A punk rock band performing on stage, with a female lead singer belting into a microphone. Behind them, a colourful mural with graffiti-style text.
Music

Meet the hair-raised radicals of Berlin’s noise punk scene

Powertool — In his new zine, George Nebieridze captures moments of loud rage and quiet intimacy of the German capital’s bands, while exploring the intersections between music, community and anti-establishment politics.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Surfers against sewage protest box floating in water with people swimming around it.
© Alex Brown / Surfers Against Sewage
Sport

The rebellious roots of Cornwall’s surfing scene

100 years of waveriding — Despite past attempts to ban the sport from beaches, surfers have remained as integral, conservationist presences in England’s southwestern tip. A new exhibition in Falmouth traces its long history in the area.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Energetic music performance on stage with colourful lighting, smoke and audience.
Culture

Southbank Centre reveals new series dedicated to East and Southeast Asian arts

ESEA Encounters — Taking place between 17-20 July, there will be a live concert from YMO’s Haruomi Hosono, as well as discussions around Asian literature, stage productions, and a pop-up Japanese Yokimono summer market.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Huck 79

We are all Mia Khalifa

How humour, therapy and community help Huck's latest cover star control her narrative.

Written by: Alya Mooro

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.