Princess Julia: ​“It’s not fancy dress it’s dress fancy”

Taken from the winter 25 issue of THE FACE. Get your copy here.

Hello Julia! You’re one of the ambassadors for THE FACE’s new Beauty Box, which launched last month. You’ve built a unique look over the years – the pale face and lippy. When did all that begin?

The late ​’70s, in the New Romantic era. I’ve dipped in and out of other looks, but I always return to the smokey eye, the eyeliner and a dark lip. I feel better in make-up. It’s something that I’ve never really grown out of.

You’re also one of THE FACE’s regular on-camera hosts, whether at Frieze Art Fair or London Fashion Week. What was your first interaction with the magazine?

It was actually hearing people’s conversations about creating it back in 1980! I’ve done a few shoots on and off. Obviously, I knew some of the models, including [legendary Buffalo figures] Barry and Nick Kamen. Sometimes I would do Barry and Nick’s make-up. I mean, there wasn’t a lot to do because the pair of them were great beauties.

Is it true that you’ve been out every night since 1976, Julia?

No, although the last few weeks have been quite busy, I must say.

When did you first start going out?

In the mid ​’70s there was the punk scene going on, so I’d go to clubs and gigs like the Vortex, the Roxy, Club Louise, Sombrero… I was a hairdressing apprentice and the group of friends I went with were connected to the punk scene. There was a crossover between the queer disco scene of the day and the punk scene. You’d end up at a gay disco after going to see, perhaps Billy Idol, X‑Ray Spex, Siouxsie Sioux or The Slits.

What drew you to gay or queer spaces?

I was, and still am, part of the community. It was where I belonged. I think the music, the lights, the atmosphere, the conversation, every part of it confirmed to me that I wasn’t straight.

You’ve been part of so many historic club scenes: Taboo in the ​’80s, Trade in the ​’90s, Boombox in the ​’00s, Adonis today. And you’ve crossed over into visual culture, counting appearances in Visage’s Fade to Grey and John Maybury’s art films…

Oh yes, my video career is a roll call of seminal greats. I’ve been in videos from like Marc Almond, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Boy George, all sorts. I’ve also been involved in making music from time to time, doing vocals. I had a track out with Malcolm Duffy, one of the resident DJs at Trade.

You’ve never worked in an office though, have you?

As much as I’d like to, I’ve never really had an official nine-to-five.

What was your first job?

I had a paper round in North London when I was nine or 10. Then I had a Saturday job in a high street shop called Etam. We had a uniform: a mustard cowl-neck jumper and bottle-green, wide-leg slacks. That was, like, 1974, so it was apt. Oh, I had another Saturday job in Wimpy. I used to wear this great grey suit from Miss Selfridge: a pencil skirt and a fitted jacket with black piping.

You’re a proud member of the over-60s club, yet you still have the looks and energy of a twentysomething. What’s your secret?

I take care of myself, but I do notice the decaying effects of age are taking place. I’m a bit obsessed with doing steps, even though I’ve got an over-60s pass. My daily average is eight kilometres. Some days go up to about 15. It depends if it’s fashion week.

From the Blitz kids to now, you’ve long been integral to London subculture. Do you ever think about your legacy?

Only when people mention it! I had a phase in the late ​’80s where I was a bit dismissive of times gone by. But, actually, I feel like it’s quite a thing to have lived through so many historic moments in counterculture.

Do you have a book in you?

I have started something. More about that soon…

Is there a life lesson you wish you’d learned earlier?

I think that I learned this one pretty quick: to not give a fuck what people think of you.

When was the last time you went on holiday?

My whole life is like a holiday. I mean, I’ve orchestrated my life so I do the things that I love, so I never really feel an urge to have a holiday in the strictest sense of the word.

What’s in for 2026?

Continuing to discover new things, continuing to be enlightened, continuing to have an opinion, continuing to wear make-up, continuing to dress inappropriately.

Any parting words?

It’s not fancy dress. It’s dress fancy.