bond street shopper leads the way i the fashion stakes

There's an interesting article in The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood  about Oli Claridge, the last resident remaining in London's rather chic and expensive Bond Street, which you can read here.  

However, what caught my eye in the article was the accompanying photograph below.  Now l'm not a complete idiot, and am aware that money often overrides a lot of flaws, allowing older, unattractive, boring twats to still get themselves power, partners, live by their own laws and avoid prosecution, but for fucks sake, this gentleman is taking the piss sartorially wise!!!

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mr freedom

Back in the 1960's, when London used to be the epicenter of coolness, it's kind of hard to believe that these two men (Tommy Roberts and John Paul) ran one of the coolest shops in town. Mr Freedom.
It's even harder to believe, looking at what they are wearing, that the shop sold trendy clothes to the rich and famous.
There is still a Mr Freedom outlet going today (look here), but the coolness has long gone, despite the expensive prices.

However, back in the day, as well as the clothes, they did have a (now really dated) advert that featured some great electronic music. Jean Jaques Perrey - 'Moog Indigo'.



And here's Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones wearing one of their t shirts (Which can now be purchased here).

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women's shoes that are pretty 'out there'

Women's shoes that are cool and trendy, mad, ingenious, or just plain stupid. You decide.
Lots more are here.

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steve priest from the sweet looking good

Steve Priest from The Sweet - looking good!
Good to know he has still got his own hair, but l don't know why l am mocking him. This will be me in 10 years*

*Some would say now

I used to love them though. Here's a couple of their classics.






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lenny kravitz and his scarf

Lenny Kravitz usually knows how to rock a good look, and is generally a cool kind of guy, but this scarf that he is wearing / trying to escape from just looks ridiculous.  I know it is part of the rock stars duty in life to push boundaries and live on the edge (or it was back in the day), but bleeding hell, what was is thinking???
Anything for attention and to get noticed.

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another brave look for summer - the face-kini

After the photographs of the ball bag pouch for men in the earlier post, here's something for everyone.
It's the face-kini.  Pioneered in China to keep the suns rays off the face, it is a craze that is sure to spread. The above fashion shots are all from the CR Fashion Book, whose article can be found here.
As you may have already guessed, the top photo is of some Chinese ladies.
I've already ordered my own (face-kini, not Chinese ladies), and plenty of people would probably say that it would be an improvement on my normal look.
And they could well be right.

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ball bags for men

What  the modern man on the beach should be wearing nowadays.  The ball bag pouch (two versions available!!).
I think l managed to pull it off (Fnaar) in Ibiza.

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glastonbury tickets and the stones at hyde park

So, once again the Glastonbury Festival tickets have gone on sale and been snapped up straight away.  What a surprise. I could rant all night about how safe and middle class it has become, and just another thing to tick off as a social occasion, rather than a gathering of the freaks and the great unwashed (of whom l consider myself a member).  Once upon a time, back in the olden days, rock music was a form of individuality and rebellion, an outsider interest that would annoy your parents. Now they (mainly the middle class ones) are as likely to attend the festivals as their children. I'd rather there was nakedness, drugs a plenty, and a feeling of chaos, even if it was sometimes a bit dodgy, or your tent got slashed (as mine did at Glastonbury). Much more appealing to me than wall to wall TV coverage, and endless photos of Kate Moss and her ilk slumming it in their wellies, and half of the bands looking and sounding the same. Where are the dropouts and the real alternative folk?  Priced out for one thing.
Check out The Rolling Stones at Hyde park back in the 1960's.  All sorts down at the front, plus some free space.  Now it would be full of 20 year olds and their parents, crushed up and singing along in unison as they all recycle the hits one more time (The Last Time?).  Try getting that close to Mick Jagger nowadays.
Modern life is (in some ways) rubbish.

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dandie fashions advert from the 1960's

This is one of the reasons the 1960's were so great, as you would be hard pressed to find a clothes store that had an advert like this nowadays.  This is from Dandie fashions in the Kings Road, Chelsea, and l would count myself as a Potential Film Star, Rock and Roller, Acid Head and Speedfreak.. I have also dressed in drag (which Englishman hasn't?) and l act like a Queen sometimes, so that's close enough for another. It's a shame the shop is not still in business, as l would be welcomed with open arms.

And on a related note, here's a couple of Dandies (by Harry Clarke)

And of course...The Kinks




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nickolay lamm's barbies

Ever wondered what Barbie Dolls would look like if they were modelled on real womens figures?
No?
Me neither actually, but when l saw these representations by Nicholay Lamm, l thought the differences were pretty interesting (but hardly unexpected).

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the strypes on jools holland and dr feelgood on the geordie scene

After the last post featuring female singers who are past the first flush of youth, l thought l would re-affirm my rowdy rock and roll tastes by posting about how great l thought The Strypes were on 'Later With Jools Holland' on Friday evening.  They are between 15 and 17, look about 12 to me, but they have got that swagger, dress sense, haircuts and attitude that gets my old juices flowing (and not in a Jimmy Savile way).
They are obviously in debt to early Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and Dr Feelgood, but they have got it all going on at the moment, and if l was 15 again, l'd be off to see them like a shot.
Funnily enough, l have just received a new Dr Feelgood compilation and DVD, which includes them performing on 'The Geordie Scene' back in 1975, which l skived off school to watch.  Classic stuff indeed, and l hope the DVD is excellent quality, as l already have a bootleg of it, and it was the main reason l wanted the compilation (only £14.99 from Spin!).  At one time, Dr Feelgood were huge.  Their live album (Stupidity) went to no 1, (when it mattered) and they were an escape from most of the crap in the charts at the time, and like The Strypes, were a throwback to early blues and rhythm and blues records.  Throw in some great sweaty and loud live performances (including my first proper concert), with the bug eyed speed freakery of Wilko Johnson, and they were unstoppable   That is, until  punk came kicking the doors down shortly afterwards.  They then appeared ancient, even if they still had the swagger and sound, the image didn't fit with the youthful energy that was everywhere.  Something The Strypes don't have to worry about.  Sadly, Wilko currently has cancer, and not long to live. At least he has certainly left his mark.






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david bowie in a curious dress

Who's that young gentleman on the right of the picture, wearing a rather fetching dress?  Non other than the dame himself, Mr David Bowie.  The dress is the same one that he wore on the cover of 'The Man Who Sold The World' in 1970 and in interviews to promote the album.  It was designed by Michael Fish, who was also the man responsible for the kipper tie (cup of tea in Birmingham).    Nice.

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ronnie wood is 65

Ageing - it's all in the head and in the clothes.  Ronnie Wood is 65, but dresses (and often acts) like a teenager, and still has a lust for life.  Some might say this is pretty sad, but l think it's pretty commendable the way he still wants to dress fashionably and stay up to date with music, books, fashion and art.  I suspect there is dye applied to the old crows nest on a regular basis (or even some weaves/wig), although l have no proof of that (but l do trust my own eyes and tiny brain).  To me, he looks pretty damn good, certainly much better than my grandparents did at that age (and me at my age).  Then again, l'd look that cheerful and trendy  if l had his money and l was a member of The Rolling Stones.
I say enjoy whatever age you are, you can't turn back the clock, and there's still plenty out there to discover, even if it is old films, books, records etc.

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zoolander (2001) - ben stiller

I never fancied watching Zoolander in the past, as l thought it looked to be too 'goofy American humour' (if there's such a thing) but l  had so many people going on to me about how good it is, that l finally crumbled.  I'll be the first to admit that l'm glad l did, as it was much, much funnier than l expected.  That's not to say that l found it hilarious or groundbreaking,  but it certainly had lots of amusing moments, and Ben Stiller was more than believable as an air headed model, who is brainwashed to become an assassin (don't ask).  Featuring lots and lots of cameos (such as the great and good David Bowie), and piss takes a plenty of the fashion industry, l can now see what all the fuss was about (only 11 years too late). I've got my finger on the pulse of all the current trends if you ever need advice about clothes and music.  Just page me.

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george best - style guru and madame tussaurds

My admiration for George Best as a footballer and sometimes style guru knows no bounds, but even he couldn't get away with the above outfit. Even in the 1960's, he was never going to make that work.  No wonder the watching girls look stunned.
Also on the George Best front, the top picture is of his waxwork at Madame Tussauds being taken down and replaced  by Johan Cruyff's.  Fair enough, as Bestie was past his best and Cruyff was fantastic, but take a look at the so called 'face' of Best.  It is crap, and nothing like him.  I would have been demanding my money back if l had gone to see a George Best waxwork and been shown that monstrosity as a representation, especially as they always (still do) went on about how life like the waxworks are.  They are better now (I was there a few years ago), but there are still some real horrorshows.

Anyone for The Beatles?

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the mc5 and keith chegwin

My admiration and love for the rather wonderful MC5 is second to none, and here is a rare concert from the German TV programme Beat Club in 1972. It's a shame they where never that succesful, but my reasoning for this is that (much as l love him), Rob Tyner (the singer) looks like Keith Chegwin nowadays, but with a fright wig/afro on his ample bonce. Now l don't mind Cheggers, and he was very nice to someone l knew a while back (and, like me, he's from Bootle). He is not however, trying to front a band at the moment (although l'm sure he would do so if he got the right offer). Everyone knows the rule about singers - the fans have got to want to be them, or have sex with them. Rather sadly for Rob, even though l'm sure he would have got plenty of offers of sex (and drugs) because he was in a cool band, on a larger scale, he is not going to appeal to lots of the ladies out there, and blokes would rather be someone else (Heeeeeeeeeeellllllllloooo, Keith). It happens all the time with bands, but let's face it, they are in a popularity game, and the looks play a huge part in it. The flip side of this is pretty boy/girl bands who are popular due to their looks and marketing, but their records are shite.

If you don't believe Rob looks like Cheggers - check out his showreel and imagine him covered in sweat, with a tan and the wig. Oooooooohhhh.....sexy!

And don't forget......

Kick out the Jams motherfuckers!!!!!





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team great britain's new kit

What a load of old tosh this new Olympic Games kit is (by Stella McCartney and Adidas), although l want one of whatever the guy on the left has stuffed down his trousers.

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clockwork orange imagry

Re-watching 'A Clockwork Orange' again the other night (one of my favourite films), l was reminded (as if l needed to be) how great, influential and iconic it was (and still is).
I saw it while still at school when there was a big fuss about the sex and violence in it, and how it was supposedly leading to copycat incidences.
All l can say is, it never did me no harm, and l have watched it many times over the years, at the movies, on dodgy videos and DVD's, and eventually on my own (and much treasured) legal DVD.
On the other hand, l'm sure the FPO will disagree.
The film was also withdrawn for many years, but the book is more violent. Maybe it was thought that intelligent people read, so would not perpetrate violence after reading the book, whereas the uneducated plebs who watch the film might.
It's also a good job l don't have kids, as the child in the last photo would be the way l would force my offspring to dress, male or female.
Viddy well my brothers, time for a moloko.

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