Carnaby Street, London, Gentlemans Style.
Synonimous with punk music, personal expression and the London look.
From The Kinks to the Who, from the Pistols to Jimi Hendrix to the next big thing Carnaby Street has seen it all.
If you love your social history look at some of the photos from the 50’s and 60’s including Lord John and Sweet Fanny Adams, which sold underwear and swimwear…even back in 1910 the street was full of hairdressers, silversmiths, tailors and Mrs Pomeroy Ltd, toilet preparations manufacturers.
If anyone has any good stories of shopping on or around Carnaby Street do add your comments.
For me Carnaby Street brings back 2 sets of memories, firstly as an avid teenage music fan and then from my days working in the film and television industry. The street and its surrounding areas have personally inspired me as well as many generations before and after.
I often smile now, in a slightly knowing way when I see tourists, teenagers and the like trying to look for punk nostalgia as I remember it, just from the first time.
For me Soho was my life for many years, and I particularly loved east Soho.
I remember when I first found the bar “2 floors” on a hot summers day many moons ago ….sitting there having a bottle of red stripe and chatting to the girl behind the bar I was a very relaxed and happy bunny and Tommy Guns was my hairdresser pretty much from the day they opened, a fantastic mix of cool, friendly and a meeting point. I have to say I prefer the way the salon used to look but the point is the area is still a fantastic melting point of fusions.
If I were a politician I would say they should bottle it, it’s what London does brilliantly….opposites coming together to meet others and take part in that wonderful word called life. I love parties where you get together with your friends and they invite their friends…..and you find the person from the insurance company gets on very well with the hairdresser…..which seems to surprise some….
A visit to Peckham Rye for anyone that loves their cultural history is a must. Even if you are not a connoisseur of fashion you would be hard pressed not to be fascinated by the shop the wonderful yarns (get the pun !!!) the owners can tell and see a bow tie tied in under 10 seconds (maybe a good one to try while sampling an ale or 2 !!).
For those of you out there who do not know Gentlemans Butler,,,,mmmmmm yes we are highly involved in grooming from traditional barbers to jet set spas we cover it all, so take a peek at Pankhurst London, its where James Bond and Michael Caine might meet circa 1968 maybe wearing a “whistle and flute”….gosh I’m on form today…. from Peckham Rye. Head downstairs to their private lounge, sit in their bespoke Bentley, yes that’s Bentley cars, barber’s chair and get coiffed and shaved.
For those of you who love a little Ray Mears adventure but equally love a little Knightsbridge comfort head to Filson,
where you can get all your travel goods needs, packaged in a very safari kind of way, very good to put in the back of your Jensen interceptor to head to the country with your girlfriend dressed circa 1965 headscarf flapping in the wind…..I really must stop watching The Best of Swinging London box set….
But where is the fashion and I want it with a little edge you say …well you are spoilt for choice but whatever your taste do not miss out on Dr. Marten’s.
For me this was like going down memory lane, and a very fond lane it was too as I grew up to the sounds of The Clash, The Jam, The Who, The Pistols and many besides so I love the fact that Dr Martens still exists, but they exist in a big way. Sold around the world, with support for the music industry, their store is interactive, get your photos taken, create your own shoes……it’s a place that brings a smile and little bit of edge to your world.
Finally do not miss out on Scotch & Soda, personally I loved them as they show that creative zing that the Dutch have for taking a great look and giving it a big slice of originality, loved the deep rich Autumn colours and the fantastic feel of their shirts. Very good team on board who are not pushy but just on the case….