21 February 2025 | Photo: Mischa Haller
The photobook chronicles ’90s UK clubbers in hazy early mornings
British Culture Archive has announced the launch of its publishing programme with the release of its first photobook, Not Going Home by Swiss photographer Mischa Haller. The book, accompanied by a foreword from journalist Kate Spicer, captures the essence of late-night and early-morning club culture in the UK during the summer of 1998.
Through a series of candid images, Haller documents the transitional hours between nightclub closure and the journey home—moments of lingering conversations, impromptu gatherings, and quiet introspection as the night gives way to dawn. The work reflects a time before the ubiquity of smartphones and social media, preserving an era when nightlife was experienced more intimately and undocumented in real-time.
Haller describes his focus as an exploration of “the time between the nightclub closing and people going home, those one or two hours when the rest of the world is asleep, but clubbers are carrying on.” The series portrays individuals and groups in various states of reflection and camaraderie—whether eating, smoking, making a fire on the beach, or encountering new acquaintances.
Paul Wright of the British Culture Archive highlights the significance of the series, noting how it unintentionally captures a turning point before the digital age reshaped social interactions and nightlife. “These images, as well as being photographically compelling, offer a glimpse into post-hedonistic nights and hazy early mornings,” he states.
The book’s design and art direction were led by Studio Booth. The first two editions of Not Going Home sold out within a short period of time, and demand for the new release is expected to be similarly high.
Don't forget to periodically check the links below for updates on the new edition of the book.
Mischa Haller – Not Going Home
