TED POLHEMUS

Style guru Ted Polhemus shows how the global wave of enthusiasm for new body decoration is rooted in our past and examines its future direction. Colour photography by young photography duo UZi Part B

We are the only species which deliberately alters its appearance. We get up, peer into the mirror and ask ourselves 'What should I wear today?' But this customizing of our bodies goes far beyond the clothing which we wear as a second skin. Flesh can be tatooed, pierced, scarred and adorned with anything from flowers to precious jewels. Hair offers infinite possibilities for creative modification. Even the actual shape of the body can be compressed with corsets, padded out in the 'right' places or physically redefined by cosmetic surgery. The Customized Body presents the most comprehensive review of all forms of body art - past, present and future - ever assembled. A celebration of the most extraordinary and creative, it at the same time offers us all a chance to consider why we choose to decorate, adorn and dress as we do.