Midas

Calico Futures

1970s, Adrian Mann, Andreas Heumann, Averil B, Badges and Equipment, bus stop, chelsea cobbler, Colette Nivelle, Corinne Bricaire, Country Casuals, Crochetta, Dorothy Perkins, Dunhill, Edy Lyngas, Fiorucci, French Connection, Inspirational Images, Ivory, jap, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, jeff banks, Joseph, Kasparian's Contracts, Kenneth Grange, Lawrence Corner, Leah Hertz, lee bender, Midas, Mulberry, Pierre D'Alby, Sacha, Steve Rothholz, Sun and Sand, Vintage Editorials
Woven waistcoat ,cotton trousers and towelling lined calico jacket, all by Corinne Bricaire from Browns. Necklace from Adrien Mann. Belt from the Mulberry Company. Flat canvas sandals from Sacha. Headphones from Leisure Sounds of Wigmore Street.

The time: mid-morning coffee-break The place: The Post Office Confravision Studios, Euston Tower* The clothes: At last, working gear (you’ll be delighted to see) to cope with both formal and permissive working environments. The fabric: calico, strong and hard-wearing, cotton-based, so it’s comfortable for over-heated offices. Add a dash of towelling, team it with crocheted string vests, scarves, tights and bags for a little wit. The colour: cream—soothing and harmonious for worn executives. Enliven it with a touch of colour here and there (and to pick you out from beige office walls — remove if you need the camouflage).

* One of five office studios provided by the Post Office for its conference-by-TV service. Designed by Kenneth Grange of Pentagram.

An incredibly apposite photoshoot featuring the Post Office’s futuristic ‘Confravision’ studios. To read an original brochure, click here.

Photographed by Andreas Heumann.

Scanned from Over 21 Magazine, April 1976.

Cream short sleeved shirt, quilted waistcoat, cream jacket and trousers from Country Casuals.
Cream skirt and jacket by Jeff Banks from Averil B, Fulham Road. Scarf by Edy Lyngas. Canvas espadrilles from Sacha.
Calico jumpsuit by French Connection. Vest from Lawrence Corner. Leather bound hessian purse by Lee Bender for Bus Stop. Belts from the Mulberry Company. Stack of chairs from Kasparian’s Contracts Ltd, 288/290 Euston Road.
Strapless shorts suit by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac from Joseph. Silver table croquet game from Dunhill.
Cream tube dress by Leah Hertz from Crochetta. Trousers by Jap from Jap & Joseph. Chelsea Cobbler shoes. Cigars from Dunhill.
Cream sweater by Ivory from Roberta, 94 Golders Green Road. Cream calico tabard by Colette Nivelle from Elle. Calico trousers from Dorothy Perkins. Suede espadrilles from Midas. Bracelets by Adrien Mann. Gilt soda syphon by Dunhill.
Cream short sleeved t shit by Sun & Sand from Conspiracy, 170 Kensington High Street. String vest from Badges & Equipment, The Strand. White shorts from Laurence Corner. Calico jacket by Pierre D’Alby. Clear plastic braces by Steve Rothholz from Fiorucci. Watch by Trafalgar.

For Dinner Dates

19 magazine, 1970s, David Anthony, dorothee bis, Essences, Fiorucci, gordon king, Inspirational Images, jeff banks, Midas, Russell & Bromley, Sacha, Scruffs, strawberry studio, Vintage Editorials, wallis
Green sweater and purple sweater around waist both by Fiorucci. Purple tights from The Dance Centre. Red leather ankle boots by Russell & Bromley. Lilac gloves by Cornelia James. Belt by Pixie. Purse by Midas. / Hat with net and blue lurex sweater by Dorothee Bis. Tights by Mary Quant. Perspex shoes by Russell & Bromley.Belt by Trimfit. Scarves from Woolworths.

Whether it’s dinner for two, or a special night out with a crowd, you want to be sure that you’ve got that certain ‘little number’ to fit the bill. To be sure that you’re not caught on the hop, we’ve picked a selection of really feminine dresses, satin trousers, skirts, tops and even an elegantly tailored, satin suit fit for the Ritz. Happy wining and dining!

Photographed by David Anthony.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, December 1976.

Taffeta dress by Strawberry Studio. Shoes by Sacha. Scarf from Essences. / Black and pink satin suit by Gordon King. Satin shohes and bag by Midas.
Black top by Scruffs. Cream skirt by Jeff Banks. Boots from Midas. / Cream silk shirt by Jeff Banks. Black satin drainpipes by Scruffs. Boots and bag from Midas.
Red and black crepe dress by Gordon King. Red pants by Highlight. Red ankle boots by Russell & Bromley. Sash by Strawberry Studio / Black embossed satin tunic by Wallis. Blue pants by Highlight. Black suede boots by Midas. Sash from Strawberry Studio.

First Essentials

1970s, eric boman, Inspirational Images, janet reger, loungewear, Midas, mild sauce, Rayne, Richard Hamnett, The Savoy, tuttabankem, underwear, Vintage Editorials, Vogue

first essentials 2

Lace and satin nightdress, turquoise and white, by Janet Reger. Mules by Midas.

Photographed by Eric Boman at The Savoy.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Vogue, April 1977.

first essentials 1

Silk crepe de chine wrap by Richard Hamnett at Tuttabankem White bra and French knickers by Silhouette at Dickins and Jones. Plastic and marabou shoes by Rayne.

first essentials 4

White layered waist slip by Janet Reger. Clear plastic mules by Midas.

first essentials 3

Briefest white bra and white nyloon very briefs, both by Triumph. Clear plastic mules by Midas.

The Thigh’s the Limit

1970s, chelsea cobbler, christa peters, coopers, Inspirational Images, Midas, observer magazine, Russell & Bromley, Samuel Sherman, Vintage Editorials, Wendy Dagworthy

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Photographed by Christa Peters.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from The Observer Magazine, 15th February 1976.

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Pleated cotton skirt and tunic top by Chatelaine. Sandals from Midas.

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Blue stripe pinafore dress by Coopers. Sandals by Midas.

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Red silk embroidered tabard dress by Wendy Dagworthy. Navy sandals from Russell & Bromley.

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Sailing boat print dress by Samuel Sherman. Navy espadrilles by Chelsea Cobbler.

Double-Takes by Robyn Beeche

19 magazine, 1970s, Inspirational Images, jeff banks, mary quant, Midas, Prêt-à-Porter, Robyn Beeche, Russell & Bromley, strawberry studio, Uncategorized, Vintage Editorials

Robyn Beeche - 19 - December 1976 - b

Dress, worn by all models, by Prêt-à-Porter. Left: Tights by Mary Quant. Boots by Midas. Orange rope from Bazaar Shops. Sash by Strawberry Studio. Pouch by Midas. Centre: Pants by Prêt-à-Porter. Boots by Russell & Bromley. Rope and belt by Bazaar Shops. Woven belt from The Warehouse. Far right: Shirt by Fifth Avenue. Waistcoat by Casablanca. Petticoat by Strawberry Studio. Boots by Midas. Scarf by Cornelia James.

Ever been to a party in a not very exclusive dress and had that feeling that someone else is bound to be wearing the same thing? Or, maybe, you simply can’t afford more than one dress for the party season. Here are some smart ideas on how to ring the changes with just one number and be the belle of the ball every single time.

Photographed by Robyn Beeche.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from 19 Magazine, December 1976.

An early shoot by legendary Australian photographer Robyn Beeche, who would later make her name capturing the alternative scene in London in the early 1980s and who sadly died earlier this year. Beeche is largely known for her documentation of catwalk shows and Alternative Miss World events, as well as experimental portraiture, so it’s interesting to see a more conventional studio/fashion set-up from her at the beginning of her career.

Robyn Beeche - 19 - December 1976 - a

Shirt dress, worn by all models, by Jeff Banks. Far left: Tights by Mary Quant. Shoes by Dolcis. Net scarf from Nostalgia. Gold sash by Strawberry Studio. Fabric around head and worn as sash from John Lewis. Centre: Jeans by Made in Heaven. Shoes by Sacha. Sashes by Strawberry Studio. Purses from Mitsukiku. Right: Sweater by Simon. Boots by Midas. Belt from Bazaar Shops.

Inspirational Editorials: The Impossible Dream Dress

1970s, 1980s, Claus Wickrath, Fenn Wright & Manson, harpers and queen, Inspirational Images, Jil Sander, karl lagerfeld, manolo blahnik, Midas, Sportmax, Vintage Editorials, zandra rhodes

Hand-printed silk dresses by Zandra Rhodes. White net shoes from Midas. Lilac leather shoes by Karl Lagerfeld from Chloe.

Hand-printed silk dresses by Zandra Rhodes. White net shoes from Midas. Lilac leather shoes by Karl Lagerfeld from Chloe.

Photographed by Claus Wickrath. Make-up by Kirsty Climo.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Harpers and Queen, June 1980

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM DRESS Karl Lagerfeld Photographed by Claus Wickrath. Harpers and Queen June 1980

Silk one shoulder top and frilled skirt, shoes and leather belt all by Karl Lagerfeld from Chloe.

Left: Raspberry cotton dress with satin belt by Sportmax. White patent leather shoes with bows by Manolo Blahnik. Centre and right: Silk camisoles by Fenn Wright & Manson. Cotton skirts by Jil Sander. Fuschia sandals by Midas.

Left: Raspberry cotton dress with satin belt by Sportmax. White patent leather shoes with bows by Manolo Blahnik. Centre and right: Silk camisoles by Fenn Wright & Manson. Cotton skirts by Jil Sander. Fuschia sandals by Midas.

The Tight-Ass Suit

1970s, barbara daly, bus stop, Chris Trill, christa peters, cosmopolitan, Courtney Reed, Howie Diffusion, Inspirational Images, lee bender, Liz Smith, Midas, Pamela Frances, Pancaldi, Sacha, Stephen Marks, strawberry studio, Tatters, Vintage Editorials

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Suit by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. Belt by Chris Trill. Shoes from Midas.

“Start squaring your shoulders, tightening your belt and walking on four-inch heels…”

A phenomenal editorial which feels very ahead of its time. This is really the birth of ‘Power Dressing’, from February 1979. There’s a curious juxtaposition of old and new, the old telephone and boudoir chair in the final photo suggest the origins of these suits in the Forties while the clunky ‘mobile phone’ is the signpost to the unknown future. Pre-Eighties and pre-Thatcher (just) – even pre-Miss Peelpants (also, just!) – there’s something quite charming about the modest silhouette here – which is really rather hard to equate with the horrors which were to come. These feel more in line with the New Romantic and Goth garments from the 1980s which I feel passionate about and choose to collect (like Sarah Whitworth, Symphony of Shadows etc), than with Yuppies and Dynasty, although you can just as equally see their genesis here.

Photographed by Christa Peters. Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Cosmpolitan, February 1979.

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Suit by Wallis. Silk camisole by Tatters. Shoes from Pancaldi.

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Jute tweed suit by Strawberry Studio. Bag by Butler and Wilson. Shoes from Russell & Bromley.

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Cotton cord suit by Howie Diffusion. Camisole from Tatters. Belt by Courtney Reed. Shoes from Pancaldi.

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Three piece suit by Daily Blue. Shirt by Riva. Purse and shoes by Pancaldi.

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Suit by Stephen Marks. Shirt by Pamela Frances. Belt by Courtney Reed. Shoes from Pancaldi.

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Wool crepe suit by Jaeger. Shoes by Pancaldi.

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Suit with the wiest shoulders and narrowest skirt by Strawberry Studio. Suede shoes by Sacha.