Intimate Portraits Capture Londoners' Lockdown Style

How Did Clothing Become a Form of Resistance?

During the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, photographer Maxime Imbert documented Londoners in their homes, capturing them wearing carefully chosen outfits despite having nowhere to go. With clubs closed and social events cancelled, Imbert sought to preserve moments of personal expression and identity through intimate portraiture. The project unfolded across various London neighbourhoods as residents navigated prolonged periods of isolation.

Imbert approached subjects through local community networks and social media, inviting people to share how they maintained a sense of self through clothing when traditional outlets for fashion were unavailable. Many participants described dressing up as a psychological anchor—a way to assert control and normalcy amid uncertainty. The photographs reveal a diverse array of styles, from bold colours and vintage pieces to cultural garments and handmade accessories, each reflecting individual stories of resilience.

What Do These Portraits Reveal About Urban Life?

For many Londoners, selecting an outfit during lockdown became an act of quiet defiance against the monotony of confinement. Participants told Imbert that putting effort into their appearance helped combat feelings of invisibility and disconnection. One subject, a dancer from Peckham, explained that wearing her performance costume at home allowed her to stay connected to her art when studios were shuttered. Others highlighted how cultural dress reinforced ties to heritage during a time when community gatherings were impossible.

The series underscores how fashion functions not just as aesthetics but as emotional sustenance in cities like London. Imbert observed that even without an audience, people invested thought into their looks, treating self-presentation as a form of self-care. The images collectively challenge assumptions that style requires social validation, instead showing its power as an internal practice. By focusing on domestic spaces, the work also highlights the home as a site of creativity and resistance during crisis.

What inspired Maxime Imbert to start this project? Imbert was motivated by noticing how people continued to express themselves through clothing despite lockdown restrictions, wanting to document this overlooked aspect of pandemic life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Were the portraits taken in person or remotely? Imbert conducted socially distanced, in-person sessions at subjects’ homes, following health guidelines while maintaining direct engagement with participants.

Where has this work been exhibited or published? The series has been featured in online photography platforms and lightbox displays, though specific exhibition venues are not detailed in the source material.