Bowery was a designer of outlandish clothing and a notorious figure in the 1980s London club scene. Born in Sunshine, Australia and given a conservative upbringing, Bowery moved to London as a young man and found a home among the fabulous and decadent outcasts of the New Wave scene— including Boy George, the pop star who plays Bowery in Taboo. Bowery died of AIDS in 1994. The film, by director Charles Atlas, features interviews with Boy George, as well as other figures found in Taboo, including Bowery's best friend, Big Sue, and his wife and assistant, Nicola. According to a recent interview with Atlas, many of the characters had "unfinished business" with Bowery, and spoke of their admiration of and frustration with the designer and celebrity.
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