'' Time '' described " Cool Britannia " as the mid-1990s celebration of youth culture in the UK . To the extent that it had any real meaning , " Cool Britannia " referred to the transient fashionable London house scene : clubs included the Ministry of Sound and the underground Megatripolis at Heaven , 1990s bands such as Blur and Oasis , fashion designers , the Young British Artists and magazines . Cool Britannia also summed up the mood in Britain during the mid-1990s Britpop movement , when there was a resurgence of distinctive British rock and pop music from groups such as Oasis , Blur , Pulp , Suede , Supergrass and Elastica , as well as Spice Girls . The renewal in British pride ( reinforced by the strong and uninterrupted growth of the British economy from 1993 ) , was symbolised in imagery such as Noel Gallagher 's Union Flag guitar and Geri Halliwell 's skimpy Union Jack dress , worn at the 1997 Brit Awards . The Euro 96 football tournament , hosted in England , is also considered an event that encouraged a resurgence of patriotism , particularly in England . John Major , who was prime minister at the time , famously took credit ( November 1996 ) , accompanied with a press release issued by the Department of National Heritage : “ Our fashion , music and culture are the envy of our European neighbours . This abundance of talent , together with our rich heritage , makes ‘ Cool Britannia ’ an obvious choice for visitors from all over the world . ” With his high profile bouts world featherweight champion boxer ” Prince ” Naseem Hamed is also associated with the era , as are alcopops and Lads ' Magazines
1997 Brit Awards
1997 Brit Awards
Cool Britannia