While Oliver Reed is my declared rugged-actor-of-choice, I must admit that Alan Bates looks pretty hot in this feature from Vogue, September 1973. Not only are the tweedy, wooly clothes damn sexy, but he’s also got a red setter – my dream dog! Perfection…
Photos by John Vere Brown.
Alan Bates, photographed in his native Derbyshire, wearing the kind of country cashmeres and tweeds that the British do so well. He’s now in his first season with the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford playing Petruchio in The Taming of The Shrew. He had previously completed over two years in the title role of Butley—first in London, when he won the 1971 Evening Standard Best Actor Award, then in New York where he collected a Tony Award, and earlier this year shooting the film version to be released here after its premiere in the States in October.
Ok, so this can’t possibly be a proper book review, because I don’t ownthe book. The reason I don’t own it, is because it costs £345. It’s £345 well spent, if you have the money, in my opinion. But it’s still £345. You pay for superior materials, lush production and great exclusivity; it’s bound (ha!) to hold/increase its value. It also contains a lustworthy amount of photos of rockstars in beautiful clothes.
I did, however, get to see a preview at the launch, at Genesis HQ in Guildford, on Tuesday night. Once the crowds had cleared somewhat, the feather-headed pseudo-mods had drifted away, I had spotted Peter Blake (again!! It’s the Zandra Rhodes effect; you start feeling bored of seeing them everywhere!) and gobbled up as many canapés as I could find, I carefully flicked through the book and tried to take some lousy phone shots of the photos up on the walls. I was in heaven. Men in satin. Men in flares. Men in feather boas. Men in platforms….
Rod in an Alkasura cherry jacket.
The "Bus Stop" blouse.
Men in blouses. Fantastic.
Funny Faces
Plonk!
Personally I’m a Ronnie Lane kinda girl. Rod Stewart is fine in this period, and he wears some of the most brilliantly bonkers gear out of all of them. Ronnie Wood is tolerable, but he doesn’t float my boat. Ian McLagan has instantly gained major points in my book for being seen wearing a Bus Stop Forties-lady print blouse throughout the book. And Kenney Jones is….there. But put them all together, and it’s just magical. The photos are largely unseen; vivid, candid and energetic.
I didn’t know Mr Fish did undercrackers as well! I have to agree with Caroline Baker about the unpleasantness of the bikini pant for a man. My preference (which is all that matters, of course) is for tight boxers. Can’t be dealing with too baggy, or too skimpy!
“And when he pulls his frilly nylon panties right up tight, He feels a dedicated follower of fashion.”
Ahhhhhh. Another dose of fabulous from the same great Youtube uploader who gave us the Ossie, Biba, Mary Quant and Mr Freedom (and then a wholeother bunch) ‘London Aktuell’ videos. Mr Fish introduces his own collection, filmed in a deserted street with creepy mannequins and perfectly dressed dandies…
Just because I love the photo. Brian is wearing Celia-print Ossie Clark gear, for which I adore him. Even Icky Micky looks acceptable. All-round thumbs up and gurgles from me…
In my teenage years, I developed a bit of a weird thing for cricketers. It was much ridiculed by my peers, but there was just something about the smart trousers, jumpers and lazy, peculiarly English feel of a cricket match which was like some kind of catnip to me.
It has lessened dramatically over the years, but I definitely think it was some kind of reaction to how horridly many men dressed in the town where I grew up. As I met more well-dressed men, I realised I was simply craving smartness, an effort, something ‘different’. So I’m very taken with the snazzy Seventies take on the look in the Aquascutum advert above. The beautiful illustration doesn’t hurt either…
Scanned from the Sunday Telegraph Magazine, May 1977.
Designed by Lyn and Mary, available at Deborah and Clare
Incredible spread from August 1970, showing the best of the exquisitely hand-painted and printed textiles around at the time. Highly covetable and just about the most perfect styling ever. There’s even a token piece of menswear!
The Sunday Times Magazine, August 1970. Photographed by Hans Feurer. Scanned by Miss Peelpants.
Faces reprinted by Roger Riley (art student at Liverpool Polytechnic) onto voile shirt.
Mr Freedom, 430 King's Road
Jumpsuit by Marsh and Armstrong, to order from Countdown 137 King's Road. Shirt by Biba, boots by Mr Freedom
Shoes decorated by Pablo and Delia. Shawl from Imogens, 274 Fulham Road.
Dress and eyeshade by Pablo and Delia. To order from Mr Fish, 17 Clifford Street.
Designed by Lyn and Mary, available from Deborah and Clare
Silk dress by Lyn and Mary from Deborah and Clare. Hat and boots by Biba.
Shirt made specially by Liberty's from French hand-painted panne velvet.