Today, 1st December, is World AIDS Day. As the first ever global health day (it started in 1988), it is an opportunity for people to unite worldwide in the fight against HIV and AIDS, show our support for those living with it and remember those who lost their lives to it. In January 1992 i-D dedicated its 100th issue to the disease. The Positive Issue decided not to be dragged down by death and depression but provide – because there is one – a positive response, saying that we can beat AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Quotes, shoots, dos and don’ts from photographers, stylists and journalists who’d worked for i-D over the years, stories from those living with AIDS who cut the crap and told it like it is and a free condom made up an issue filled with “Tears and facts. Some smiles, more tears and more facts.”
In 1992 the World Health Organisation reported 30,000 people living with HIV in the UK. Today that number has over tripled with around 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK and an estimated 34 million globally, with over 35 million who have died from it. Although we now understand so much more about it, have laws to protect those living with it and have made major advances in its treatment, there is still the same stigma attached to it, that stems from ignorance and fear. World AIDS Day is important to raise awareness of the condition and remind the government that it has not gone away.
Learn more about World AIDS Day here, and scroll down for a peek inside The Positive Issue, January 92. As i-D Editor at the time, Matthew Collin wrote, “AIDS jars with our early 90s feel-good culture, where anything is possible and everything is permitted (as long as you can afford it). We’re not used to denying ourselves pleasures or facing our mortality at such a carefree age. Responsibilities – what are they? But now we’ve got them, like it or not.” And our reaction is still positive.
Photography Peter Anderson. Styling Edward Enninful. Hair Gary Gianasi. Make-up Cathy Lomax. Models Matt Selby and Sanna.
Photography Patrick Cariou
Photography Marc Lebon. Direction Judy Blame. Styling Emma Day. Make-up Yvonne Gold.
Photography Juergen Teller. Make-up Dick Page.
Photography Wolfgang Tillmans, Travis, Brett Dee and Mark Lally
Judy Blame
Photography Anette Aurell. Styling and Produc
Credits
Main image photography and styling Simon Foxton
Styling assistance Wilma Sieblink
Grooming Michael Boadi
Models James at Crawfords. Edward, Michael, Luther, Raymond and Paul at THF.