EXPERIENCE: Camden Club Kidzz

“Morning Crescent, mind the gap,” Chimes the dainty British voice, that has come to narrate my daily commute around London. As the doors open, all the girls with shaggy bangs and dapper lads pile out and into the tube station. My friends and I follow the young masses up the stairs and into the night. Outside I catch the reflection of a bright neon sign in one of the many puddles that line Camden High Street. I see a couple sharing pints outside a pub; boys, in Goth make-up, excitedly chat about what club they want to go to next.

Welcome to Camden: epicenter of all that is gritty, raw, fun, and fashionable. By day it serves as London’s funkiest open-air market and the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Diaganon Alley in the Harry Potter books. By night it shifts to the glam and swill that gave birth to Amy Winehouse (known as the legend of Camden).

On this night we cross the busy street to club Koko. A long line winds around the side of theater-turn-dance-club. My friends complain, but I see this as the perfect opportunity to soak in some of London’s street fashion. To my right, I see a girl with bleach-blonde hair. She sports bright heliotrope tights with lots of runs. Between puffs on her cigarette, she discusses music festivals with her eyeliner-laden friend who wears a high waisted, salmon-and-navy skirt. While the girls deliver smashing outfits, the boys sport totally mental looks. One guy wears a see-through garbage bag that drapes around his chest. He and his mate dress hospital chic (scrubs, red lipstick and fake blood).

After 20 minutes of waiting and 12 pounds for the cover charge, we move into the club, which features soaring balconies and black lights. Between the bustling bodies, I spy Victoria Beckham inspired coifs, nerdy black Buddy Holly glasses, and raccoon styled eye shadow.

While dancing to the techno beats, I admire the ease these London kids feel in their garish get-ups. What happens here travels fast: Cool hunters watch and copy these looks, until kooky glasses and chartreuse tights crowd the shelves at Topshop. I know the looks I see tonight will soon appear in magazines such as Vice and Nylon. But these boys and girls aren’t thinking about that. They live, dance and dress for the moment. So I follow suit. I grab a sudsy Strongbow, begin to move my body to the beat, and watch as an Edwardian styled prince snogs his Gothic Lolita princess.