Photo essay Photojournalism

The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay “A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!” Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker

Oct 2015 back issue

photographs by Dean Chalkley Creative Direction Harris Elliott

Photographer Dean Chalkley joined forces with Creative Director Harris Elliott to produce Return of the Rudeboy a showcase of a sartorial subculture through a series of unique contemporary Portraits. The duo documented over 60 sharply dressed individuals in London, all of whom embody the essence of what it is to be a Rudeboy (or Rudie) now. Focusing on the style and attitude of this growing urban group it is far from a snap shot street style photography project, this is a curated collection, a vital and positive celebration of what is happening now. All the subjects photographed present themselves as they are, there has been no stylistic intervention. Dating right back to the late 1950s in Jamaica, Rude Boy culture has become synonymous with an unflinching attitude and belief in oneself, the expression and ethos of self-worth and determination. In the 1960’s the migration of people from the west Indies to the UK allowed a crosspollination of culture and Britain began developing it’s own unique sub cultural Rude boy direction. Originally Rude boys had notorious connects but as the decades have rolled on the focus has changed. The 1980s saw a big shift into the musically lead 2-Tone movement and it’s reactionary socio-political message promoting multiculturalism. Return of the Rudeboy is a photographic study that depicts a group of 21st Century Rudies who creativity express themselves presenting their pure and singular swagger in locations linked to the Rudeboy lifestyle, whether on the streets of Shoreditch or Savile Row. In June 2015 Dean and Harris self published Return of the Rudeboy Book it is available to purchase from www.returnoftherudeboy.com