simon massey

Life can be a treat on the sunny side of the street

1970s, Alan Rodin, Bata, biba, Bilbo, bus stop, edward mann, Electric Fittings, Franz Gruber, Hans Metzen, Honey Magazine, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, Jacqmar, Jayne Swayne, kadix, Martha Hill, mr freedom, Plain Clothes, Sacha, sheridan barnett, simon massey, Vintage Editorials
LEFT: Calico jacket with navy and white spotted trim and wide Oxford bags, Ian Batten at Jayne Swayne, £9.75. Navy brushed-velour Harpo hat, Edward Mann, £2.50. RIGHT: Short green facecloth jacket and Oxford bags, Ian Batten at Jayne Swayne, £10.50. Striped clogs, Chelsea Cobbler, £11-95.

For all those who’ve never seen a Sunday afternoon Marx Brothers repeat, we’ve re-created their happy-go-lucky look so you can see what it was all about—lovely casual easy-to-wear clothes, extra long jackets, loose baggy trousers and happy looking Harpo hats. The total effect is amazing and pretty and guaranteed to bring a smile to the dreariest passer-by. For details of clothes, turn over . . .

Photographed by Franz Gruber.

Scanned from Honey, March 1972.

Bright tartan wrapover silk and linen mixture jacket, £14-95, from Stirling Cooper. Cotton blouse, Plain Clothes, E3.50, from Harrods, Way In, Hans Crescent, SW1. Rolled-up cotton and vincel Oxford bags, Alan Rodin, £4.50, from main branches of Wallis Shops. Two-tone suede lace-ups, Bata, £4.

LEFT Casual button-through cream Dralon jersey jacket with tie belt and large patch pockets, £14.50; side-buttoning trousers, £7.95; both by Hans Metzen. Coffee and cream leather lace-up ankle boots, Bilbo, £8.50; navy brushed velour hat, Edward Mann, £2.50. RIGHT: Speckled powder-blue and white Courtelle fitted jacket, £5.50, from Martha Hill, Marylebone High Street, W1. Rolled-up white corduroy Oxford bags, Sheridan Barnett at Simon Massey, £6.95. Navy and white bow-printed satin smock shirt, Electric Fittings, £8; wide navy leather belt, Biba, £3.90; multi-coloured suede lace-ups, Bilbo, £8.50; spotty silk scarf, Jacqmar, £2-50.

LEFT: Bobbly blue wrap-over Courtelle jacket with large patch pockets, £5.50; finely-striped Courtelle bib front blouse, £4, both from Martha Hill, Marylebone High Street, W1. Tight corduroy pedal-pushers, Sheridan Barnett at Simon Massey, £4.99. Long woolly socks, Mr Freedom, £1.20; leather lace-ups, Sacha, £6.99; felt pom-pom bowler, Edward Mann, £3.20. RIGHT: Voluminous corduroy zipped-up jacket, £6.95; wide pedal-pushers, £4.95, both from Bus Stop, Kensington Church Street, W8. Cotton spotted shirt, Dranella, £4.30. Thigh-high stripey nylon socks, Mr Freedom, £1.20; criss-cross clogs, Chelsea Cobbler, £9.95; felt pom-pom hat, Edward Mann, £3.20.

Crisp white crepe shirt with scarlet tie, Jayne Swayne, £5.25, from Bata International, Oxford Street, W1 and branches throughout the country. Brown, black and cherry red striped seersucker Oxford bags, Kadix, £5.95. Red plastic belt, Gay Designs, 80p; lemon and red leather lace-ups, Sacha, £4.99; enamel initial pins, Paul Stephens, 35p each.

Royal blue brushed-cotton tent jacket, Alan Rodin, £7.95. Candy-striped blouse, Plain Clothes, £3.50, from Harrods, Way In, Hans Crescent, SW1. Gaberdine Oxford bags, Kadix, £5.95. Silk scarf, Jacqmar, £2.50.

Shady Ladies

1970s, Adrian Mann, Bermona, biba, Bilbo, Buckle Under, Butler & Wilson, chelsea cobbler, Crochetta, Deco Inspired, Dickins and Jones, edward mann, Honey Magazine, Inspirational Images, Jacqmar, Knits and Leathers, Lizzie Carr, Martha Hill, ossie clark, Plain Clothes, platforms, quorum, Richard Green, Richard Selby, Sacha, sheridan barnett, simon massey, stirling cooper, Sujon, Vintage Editorials
SEXY cut-away cotton knitted halter-neck top, Crochetta, £4, from Knits and Leathers, 5, Harewood Place, W1 and 2, Carnaby Court, Carnaby Street, W1; flaring jet black crêpe high-waisted trousers, Ossie Clark for Quorum, £10, from Quorum, Radnor Walk, SW3; flamboyant flocked canvas shoes, Chelsea Cobbler, £11.95; “Shady Lady” straw hat, Buckle Under, £7; carved rose bangle, Butler and Wilson, £5.50; artificial rose, Biba, £1.15.

Long languid shapes, tiny halter necks and easy voluminous trousers. Shades of 30s tea dances and glorious afternoons lounging amongst the hothouse palms in clothes that make you feel every inch a lady while keeping you cool on the hottest day.

Photographed by Richard Selby.

Scanned from Honey, July 1972.

LEFT: Sensuous halter-neck cotton vincel cross-over top, Lizzie Carr at Plain Clothes, £3.95. Slinky emerald green Tricel jersey trousers, £5, from Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, Wl, mail order 25p extra. Antique flower-garland brooch, £5.50; ivory clutch bangle, £4.50; mottled horn elasticated bracelet, £4, all by Butler & Wilson; enamel flower brooch, Biba, 75p; peep-toe shoes, Bilbo, £7; daisy-clipped shoulder bag, Cingula, approx £9. RIGHT: Tightly ruched cotton striped top, Richard Green, £3.10. White Tricel mesh trousers, £4.50, from Martha Hill. Spotted-bow shoes, Sacha, £7.99; straw boater, Edward Mann, £1.90; bangles, Adrien Mann, 25p each.

ULTRY poppy red and white glazed-cotton top, £3.95, from Stirling Cooper, Wigmore Street, W1. Pure white Tricel trousers with self-patterned border, £5, from Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, Wl, mail order 25p extra. Scarlet silk sash, Jacqmar, approx £3; black and orange genuine Art Deco necklace, Butler & Wilson, £10; crimson straw hat, Bermona, £1.35.

LEFT: Wrapover covered-up cotton-jersey top, Richard Green, £4. Well-cut flared cotton-gaberdine high-waisted trousers, Ossie Clark, £9, from Quorum, Radnor Walk, SW3. Enormous straw hat, Edward Mann, £2.80; artificial rose from Dickins & Jones, 90p; mother-of-pearl tulip brooch, £4.50, elasticated horn bracelet, £4, both by Butler & Wilson. RIGHT: Plunging candy-striped cotton top, Richard Green, £2.50. Milk white cotton-gabardine Oxford bags, Sujon, £6. Sugar pink floppy straw hat, Bermona, £1.35; carved ivory elasticated bracelet, Butler & Wilson, £4.50.

SENSUOUS backless all-in-one suit with crimson and white striped cotton top and plain wide white trousers, Sheridan Barnett at Simon Massey, £8.50. Wide scarlet straw hat, Buckle Under, £7; ivory beads, Butler & Wilson, £5.50; bright red poppy, Biba, 90p; pink plastic bluebell bracelet, Adrien Mann, 75p.

Because it’s Christmas (part II)

1970s, biba, Feathers, Frank Horvat, Inspirational Images, Jaeger, janice wainwright, polly peck, simon massey, The Purple Shop, vanity fair, Vintage Editorials
Crushed velvet again, sliced into a clean Seventies shape, narrow and knickerbockered but with lace-ruffled sleeves for the right touch of contrary nostalgia. By Polly Peck. Bugle-bead embroidered butterflies on brocade choker from The Purple Shop, Chelsea Antique Market. Child’s midi culotte dress by Just Jon.

Because it’s Christmas. Give yourself time. Time for you and those you love. Time to remember a neglected relative with a telephone call, a lonely neighbour with a visit more meaningful than the automatic instant greeting card. Time too, to think of perfect strangers in other countries, struggling against hardships we can barely imagine. Could be this is the time when a donation to one of those organisations which try to help is truly the spirit of Christmas, A spontaneous flowing of compassion and care from the unknown to the unknown.

Photographed by Frank Horvat.

Scanned from Vanity Fair, December 1970.

Velvet, crushed for texture, so right in brown, turned into a curvy gaucho suit by Janice Wainwright for Simon Massey. Perfect, amusing accessory— Biba’s boa from, of course, turkey feathers!

Long, serene, thoughtful dress by Young Jaeger in chestnut and purple printed panne velvet. Wide, full sleeves collected tightly at the wrist, soft, graceful skirt belted at the waist with a wide brown suede appliqued belt from Feathers.

That old black magic

1970s, alice pollock, alistair cowin, biba, Buckle Under, bus stop, celia birtwell, christian dior, christopher mcdonnell, corocraft, Dolcis, edward mann, Elgee, Elle, Fenwick, flair magazine, George Malyard, gillian richard, Herbert Johnson, Hiroshi, Inspirational Images, janice wainwright, jean muir, John Craig, kangol, Ken Lane, lee bender, leonard, lilley and skinner, Malyard, Marks and Spencer, marrian mcdonnell, mary quant, Miss Impact, ossie clark, quorum, Russell & Bromley, Sheraton, simon massey, stirling cooper, Vintage Editorials, yves saint laurent
The witching hour—smock shirt dress, white birds flying on yards and yards of transparent black georgette, Alice Pollock for Quorum, £36.75. In her hair, crescent moon £3, and a flash of lightning slide £5.25. Both from the House of Leonard.

Black, the old enchanter. Bewitching, mysterious, romantic. In velvet, satin and soft silk jersey. Dramatic alone or shouting with colour. That timeless black magic still weaves its ancient spell.

Hair by Leonard.

Photographed by Hiroshi.

Scanned from Flair, November 1971.

In best black style. Left : tailored single-breasted embossed velvet jacket, £16.75; matching skirt, £12.60; matching velvet hat £3.50. Brown tea rose, £1.05. All from Biba. Black thorn walking stick from a selection at Herbert Johnson. Right : Silver birds on black velvet blazer, £13.95, satin shirt with black cravat, £5.95; ankle length skirt, £4.95. All from Bus Stop. Sweeping ostrich feather hat by Edward Mann, £3.85.

Celia Birtwell printed Marocaine shirt by Ossie Clark for Quorum, £7.50. Red Poppies, 35p each, Fenwick.

Romantic panne velvet dress by Simon Massey, £16. White full-blown rose on black velvet ribbon, both from John Lewis. Black chenille snood, £1.95 Fenwick.

Graceful blouse with elasticated waist, over matching rayon flared skirt, £21.50 by Mary Quant. Silver diamante belt by Ken Lane, £21.50. Quant’s butterfly tights, Farfalla, 95p. Diamante paste clover leaf on black velvet ribbon, £7.90 by St Laurent Rive Gauche. Black ostrich feather, 55p Biba.

Printed shirtdress buttoned up with red hearts. By Gillian Richard, £9.50. Red heart necklace, £19 by Christian Dior. Sweeping black felt hat, by Buckle Under, £8.

For high coloured drama put black with traffic light colours : red, yellow green and strong electric blue.
Wool jersey vest by Sydica at Miss Impact, £4.90. Heart necklace from Elle, £3.75.

Cotton velveteen shirt £9.75, and culottes £7.75. By Alistair Cowin. Jersey wool shirt by John Craig, £4.80. Black leather belt, Fenwick £2.45. Suede boots banded in red, yellow and green, Lilley and Skinner £10.95. Velvet cap by Malyard £5, pinned with red star by Corocraft, 99p.

Warming up to black, in strictly daytime mood, our model wears Guerlains Teint Dore for a real tawny tint, 99p with Juvena’s Sahara Sun Blush Colour Stick as a highlighter, £1.63. Her. eyelids are coloured in Boots No 7 Transparent Eye Tint, 40p, and her lipstick is Chanel Corail, 95p.

Wrap around, tie belted wool jacket. £10.50. Over red Oxford Bags £6.50. Both by Alastair Cowin. Tartan wool man’s scarf, Scotch House £1.25. Black suede beret by Malyard, £16.

The little black dress revamped by Jean Muir in crepe de chine with puffed sleeves, demure bow and flared skirt, £21. Black suede strappy shoes, Russell & Bromley, £19.95. Sheer black tights, Mary Quant, 65p. Rhinestone star, St Laurent Rive Gauche £2.50.

Tie round black wool midi coat, topstitched in white, £22. Matching trousers, £6.25. Both by Elgee. Black and white Orlon tweedy knit tunic jumper, Marks and Spencer £2.95. Herbert Johnson knitted wool cap, £2.50.

Black wool tent coat by Stirling Cooper for Sheraton £16.95. Black wool Kangol beret, 65p. Black and plum suede lace up shoes, Dolcis £8.95. On collar, cupid heart brooch, St Laurent Rive Gauche £14.

Black wool jersey nautical blazer, £15.25, over grey and white knitted wool trouser suit, £28.25. Both by Christopher McDonnell for Marrian-McDonnell. Mock mother of pearl clips, Biba 35p each.

black velvet smoking jacket, £10.50; ankle high skirt in red, yellow and black wool tartan, £5.75. Both from Bus Stop. Cupid heart brooch, Rive Gauche £14. White shetland jumper, £5.50 Scotch House.

Wear it with flare

19 magazine, 1970s, anjelica huston, Bob Richardson, bus stop, C&A, Dolcis, gordon king, lee bender, McCaul, mr freedom, Phyllis Collins, R. P. Ellen, ravel, Sheraton, sheridan barnett, simon massey, stirling cooper, universal witness
Single-breasted blanket check coat, £21.50. Black corduroy peddle-pushers, £5.95. Both by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. Nylon socks, from Mr. Freedom, 60p. Black suede high-heeled peep-toes, by R. P. Ellen, £5.95. Net veil with poppies, from Fenwicks, £1.45.

Swagger around this autumn in one of the most dramatic coats ever. Gone are skimpy shapes, instead there’s a swirling full-cut look, strongly reminiscent of the ‘Fifties. Back comes the walking-out coat and the ‘jigger jacket’. Big checks —the bigger the better—are hot news. Striped ankle socks and tarty high heels complete this new look.

Model is Anjelica Huston.

Photographed by Bob Richardson.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, October 1971

Mainly blue all-wool plaid swagger coat with inverted back pleat and tabs on cuffs and shoulders, from C&A, £14.95. Plaid peddle-pushers, by Phyllis Collins at Stirling Cooper, £6. Striped socks, from Mr. Freedom, 60p. Black suede peep-toe, sling-back shoes with rust insets, from Dolcis, £4.99.

Yellow and black check coat in pure new wool, by Stirling Cooper/Sheraton*, £19.95. Black wool gaberdine peddle-pushers, by Gordon King, £7. Woolly socks, from Mr. Freedom, 90p. Black suede and patent heels, by Ravel, £5.50.

*Coat is an Antony Price design for Stirling Cooper. With thanks to Sheilagh Brown for the information.

Floppy red wool coat with red and white tartan patch pockets, collar and yoke, from Mr. Freedom, £20. Black wool gaberdine peddle-pushers, by Gordon King, £7. Green and white socks from Mr. Freedom, 60p. Black suede high heels, from R. P. Ellen, £5.95.

Striped sweater, by Phyllis Collins for Stirling Cooper, £4-50. Grey wool peddle-pushers with turn-ups, £5-25. Fur fabric swagger jacket, £14.95. Both by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. Stripey nylon socks, from Mr. Freedom, 60p. Brown suede high heels, by Ravel, £5-50.

Navy blue and pillar box red fur fabric three-quarter-length coat with patch pockets, by Sheridan Barnett for Simon Massey, £13.95. Black corduroy peddle-pushers, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £5.95. Socks, from Mr. Freedom, 60p. Black suede high-heeled shoes, from Ravel, £5.99.

Striped polo neck acrylic sweater, by McCauls, £2.60. Rust wool jigger coat, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £15.95. Tight wool plaid peddle-pushers, by Phyllis Collins at Stirling Cooper, £6. Yellow woollen socks, from Mr. Freedom, 90p. Rust suede sandals with black heel and platform, from R. P. Ellen, £6.95.

Brown and white checked coat with skirt flaring from a high-fitted waist, in Courtelle pile fabric, from Universal Witness, £15.75. Black corduroy peddle-pushers, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £5-95. Green and white striped socks, from Mr. Freedom, 60p. Black suede high-heeled shoes, from Ravel, £5-99. Netting from all large stores.

Scarves from head to toe

1960s, Adrian Mann, biba, celia birtwell, edward mann, Ginger Group, headscarves, Inspirational Images, Jaeger, janice wainwright, jinty, liberty, liberty's, Liz Smith, Marlborough, mary quant, observer magazine, polly peck, quorum, Richard Allan, simon massey, Steve Hiett, steven hiett
Long chiffon scarf designed by Celia Birtwell, 2 gn., from the Vidal Sassoon Shop, 44 Sloane Street, W1; Quorum, 52 Radnor Walk, SW3. White Tricel tricot blouse, part of set, by Mary Quant’s Ginger Group, 13 gn., with contrast trousers and jerkin, from Bazaar, Knightsbridge, SW1.

Scarves, instead of being dismissed as last year’s fashion gimmick, are being perpetuated as this year’s most important accessory. Still the simplest way to wear a scarf is to flip a long one casually college-style around the neck. As long as it’s not literally a college scarf this somehow adds enough chic to whatever you wear, without making you look fussily overdressed. There are dozens of different ways to tie a scarf. Smart French girls are tying scarves around their waists, twisted in with chain belts or beads. Marc Bohan at Dior makes headscarves tied pirate-style look young and chic, and shows scarves tied like a man’s tie. Although large squares will still be in demand to wear on the head or folded up as cravats, the big fashion in scarves is still for long ones, preferably fringed. Men will have to accept with a good grace that they have lost their long-established monopoly of fringed silk scarves. Until now almost the only places to find them were men’s departments, antique market stalls or somebody’s attic. (Shawls are the latest craze from jumble sales.) But shopping for scarves is easier this spring, with stocks at last in every shape and size. Hair by Valerie at Cheveux, 15 Abingdon Road, London W8.

Fashion by Liz Smith.

Photographed by Steve Hiett.

Scanned from The Observer Magazine, March 1969.

Paisley printed chiffon square, 63s., from Liberty, Regent Street, W1. Hat by Edward Mann, 49s. 11d., in a variety of colours. Tricel jersey tunic shirt (with trousers), by Jinty, 8 gn.

Tied around the waist a filmy silk square by Richard Allen, 75s., from Fenwick, 63 New Bond Street, WI. Pearl and turquoise twisted bead belts with tassel ends, by Adrien Mann, 30s. each, from Harrods; Kendal Milne, Manchester. Beige crepe shirtsleeved jumpsuit £41 10s., from Jaeger, Brompton Road, Sloane Street, Baker Street and a number of provincial branches.

Pirate-style cotton handker-chief, 17s. 6d. from Liberty. Silver brooch on shoulder, 30s., silver bracelets, £1 7s. 6d. each; all from Indiacraft, Marble Arch, W1. Tricel jersey dress by Mary Quant’s Ginger Group, £5 19s. 6d., from Bazaar.

Indian silk scarf, 36 in. square, £1 11s. 6d., from Indiacraft, Silver chain, 18s. 6d. from Fenwick. Cigarette holder from Tunisia. Tunic dress in Lancola jersey by Marlborough, 11 gn., with trousers, from Peter Robinson.

Extra long silk scarf looks good tied as a sash, also in black, £2 2s. 6d., from Biba, 19-22 Kensington Church Street, W8, and by post. Rayon chiffon smock dress, by Polly Peck, 13 gn.

Square scarf tied like a tie, silk crepe de chine, 7 gn. yard, 36 in. wide, from Liberty. Dacron and cotton blouse, also in white, pale blue, brown, lagoon and pink, £5, from all Young Jaeger branches. Courtelle Neospun jersey pinafore-topped trousers designed by Janice Wainwright for Simon Massey, £8 18s. 6d. Maltese cross on chain by Adrien Mann, 25s. Tibetan bird ring £1 10s. from Indiacraft. Sunglasses by Corocraft, 25s.

Silk stole to wear as a sash, by Richard Allen, £7 17s. 6d., from Fenwick. Simple round-necked sleeve-less jumpsuit zipping up the back, in linen-look rayon, navy, beige, thyme or caramel, £14 10s., from Jaeger, London, and all provincial shops. Red and navy slingback shoes, 79s. 11d., from Dolcis. White plastic chain belt by Adrien Mann, £1. Page-boy wig, £21 15s., from Beyond The Fringe, 59 Brook Street, London

Suddenly Suits

1970s, Bermona, biba, bus stop, clobber, crowthers, florrie carr, gladrags, Herbert Johnson, Honey Magazine, Hope and Eleanor, Inspirational Images, Jacqmar, lee bender, lilley and skinner, morgan rank, ravel, Saxone, Sheriloyd, simon massey, Simon Suede, stirling cooper, Vintage Editorials
Tailored diamond jacquard midi suit, Sheriloyd 10½gns. ; cream silk cravat, Jacqmar, 47s. 6d. ; sheer plum tights, Mary Quant 10s. ; triple bar patent shoes, Saxone, 89s. 11d. ; smart velour hat, Herbert Johnson, 95s. ; amber bow brooch, Hope and Eleanor, 45s.

After seasons and seasons of dresses and trousers, suits are back with us again. But the new generation of suits is quite different from any we’ve worn before; sexily elongated with midi skirts and slender waisted jackets, in jacquard jerseys and patterned wools. Suddenly suits are younger, smarter – the newest way to get yourself looking together.

Photographed by Morgan Rank.

Scanned from Honey, November 1970.

Dusty pink wool jersey midi suit with fluted lilac and pink striped jacket, Stirling Cooper, 10 gns. ; cream jacquard knit shirt, Clobber, 87s. 6d. : wavy plum and white leather belt, Simon Suede, 63s.: sheer plum tights, Berkshire, 7s. ; walnut patent silver buckle court shoes, Ravel. £5 19s. 11d.
Plum and navy flower-chain suit, Bus Stop, £8 10s. ; plum velour hat, Herbert Johnson, 95s. ; plain brown leather gloves, Dents, 57s. 6d. ; sheer black coffee tights, Wolford, 13s. ; walnut laced shoes, Ravel, £5 19s. 11d.
Zipped-up Dacron and wool jacquard jacket, 10 gns., with matching midi kilt, 6 gns., both by Gladrags : geometric crepe scarf Sarah Jane. 56s.
Teatime zig-zag jacquard jersey suit, Crowthers, £10 ; purple tights, Elle, 9s. : shiny purple shoes, Lilley & Skinner, 99s. 11d. : crushed velvet cloche. Bermona, 65s.: seed bead rope, Indiacraft, 11s.
Elegant long lean jersey midi suit, Florrie Carr, £10 3s. Ban-lon shirt with billowing sleeves, Simon Massey, £7 ; sheer purple tights, Elle, 9s. : patent laced-up granny shoes, Lilley & Skinner, 99s. 11d. : wide-brimmed felt hat, Biba. 42s. ; antique cameo brooch. Hope & Eleanor, £4 15s.

The White of May

1970s, Adrian Mann, Bilbo, bus stop, che guevara, granny takes a trip, Herbert Johnson, Inspirational Images, lee bender, manolo blahnik, pablo and delia, Peter Knapp, quorum, Rose Bradford, Screaming Mimi, sheridan barnett, simon massey, stirling cooper, The Purple Shop, Vintage Editorials, Vogue, yves saint laurent, zapata
Left: White cotton edged with red, lots of frills tied up with bandanna bows. By Rosie Bradford, about £15, at Quorum; Che Guevara. Fine white straw, £10, Herbert Johnson. White ribbed gloves, Kir, 75p. Red and white striped canvas shoes laced onto a high wooden platform, £12.50, Manolo Blahnik for Zapata. Right: Three deep cotton frills and a halter bodice edged and tied in red. By Sheridan Barnett for Simon Massey, £9.95. Small white straw, £8.50, Herbert Johnson. Peppermint earrings and clips by Adrien Mann, about £1, at Marshall & Snelgrove. White block and string shoes, £7.75, Manolo Blahnik for Zapata. Helanca gloves, Kir, 75p. Hat pins, from a selection at The Purple Shop.

more of it, less of it, what there is of it, frilled.

Preview of new white shapes you’ll be seeing when the sun’s hot: all cut out, cropped or split, beginning with flamenco frills piped in with red.

Well, it may not be May any more but this editorial feels perfect for the current weather. And those Manolo Blahnik for Zapata shoes? Pass the smelling salts…

Hair by John at Leonard.

Photographed at the Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens

Photographed by Peter Knapp.

Scanned from Vogue, May 1972.

Left: Small cotton broderie anglaise blouse under the shelter of a big frilled collar, with a thin gabardine skirt split front and back. Blouse, Stirling Cooper, £4.25, at Peter Robinson. Skirt, Screaming Mimi, £6.50, exclusively for Granny Takes a Trip. White Openwork Helanca gloves, Kir, 80p, at Dickins & Jones. White shoes, £7, Bilbo. Hat, £10, Herbert Johnson. Right: Buttoned padded halter bodice, edged and buttoned in scarlet. White pleated Colonial cotton shorts, buckled each side. Bodice by Rosie Bradford, about £7, at Quorum ; Che Guevara. Shorts, £5.95, Bus Stop. White patent shoes, £16.50, Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. White straw, £11.50, Herbert Johnson. Hat pins from range, The Purple Shop.
Wide wide cotton trousers gathered on elastic, a gathered cotton halter top, the edge let go to frill. By Pablo & Delia, £18, at Browns. White peep-toe shoes, £7, detachable bow £1 extra, at Bilbo. Hat, £8.50, Herbert Johnson. Earrings, Adrien Mann. Laced cuffed Helanca gloves by Kir, 75p, at Derry & Toms

Look Back in Anger

1970s, Adrian Mann, Angela at London Town, Bermona, Bilbo, bus stop, fifties fashion, flair magazine, john kelly, lee bender, Mr Feed'Em, mr freedom, ravel, Sacha, sheridan barnett, simon massey, stirling cooper, Vintage Editorials

Call it nostalgia, admission of defeat, lack of inventiveness or what you will: the ugly fact is that there is a strong trend among designers to dig up the Fifties for a fashion revival. Those were the days of the A-line, the tulip dress, Lurex and pleated skirts. If you are disturbed at a Fifties revival, so are we. We think it a period in fashion terms best forgotten, with one or two exceptions. If you don’t favour the fashion but fancy the authentic ambiance you’ll get the right idea at Mr Freedom’s restaurant, Feed’em, where we photographed. Here, written about in the Fiftie’s style, are some of the up-dated Fifties fashions on sale now.

At the same time as the Thirties and Forties were being raided by British Boutique designers, so were the Fifties (or Fiftie’s as so spectacularly put here) and it’s pretty hilarious to see the cynicism by the writer here (possibly fashion editor Sarah Drummond) – who had presumably been a young woman then. The cyclical nature of fashion is nothing new and nor is the disbelief when it’s happening in your own timeline!

On another note, it’s always lovely to see some new-to-me shots inside the legendary Mr Feed’em restaurant!

Photographed by John Kelly.

Scanned from Flair, November 1971.

Crepe pencil skirt and pure wool knitted top that you can dress up or down as you please with a clever change of accessories. Button through fastening gives the skirt special new back interest. Skirt £6. Sweater, £4.50 both by Stirling Cooper. Seamed stockings 30p by Aristoc. Black suede and red patent peep toe shoes, Ravel, £5.50.
A flamboyant crepe de chine evening number, in an adventurous chintzy print with snazzy flounced skirt, £10.50 by Sheridan Barnett at Simon Massey. Black suede sandals with ankle straps, Bilbo, £7. Red beaded necklace, Corocraft, 49p. Purple and pink Perspex bangles, Adrien Mann, 30p each.
Smart-as-paint coat that captures all the intriguing fashion points of the season; with a generous fullness at the back. Created in a delightful brown and beige wool blanket fabric. Bus Stop £19.95. Brown leather boots. Sacha £8.99.
Neat ladylike costume in carefree Tricel jersey. The swirling skirt is a-flutter with knife pleats and the short fitted jacket has an optional tie. In an opulent new shade of plum and white, by Angela at London Town £20. Burgundy brimmed felt hat, Bermona, £1.70. Mulberry tights, Mary Quant, 75p. Multi strapped shoes, Mondaine, £11.99.

Mirror, Mirror

19 magazine, 1970s, Angela at London Town, Antiquarius, barbara trentham, Barbara Trentham, biba, bus stop, Chelsea Antiques Market, David Tack, hand tinting, Inspirational Images, lee bender, Margrit Ramme, mr freedom, Norma Moriceau, ossie clark, radley, ravel, Ricci Burns, Rose Bradford, Sacha, sheridan barnett, simon massey, Titfers, Vintage Editorials
Black satin beret, by Titfers, £8.50. Black satin blouse with shooting stars embroidered in beads, £6.95; half-mast trousers, £4.95, both by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. Diamante star brooch on beret, by Paul Stephens, 75p. Dangly fake diamond earring from a selection at Marie Middleton, Chelsea Antique Market. Fake diamond necklace from a selection at the Purple Shop, Antiquarius. Black satin beret with rhinestone stars, by Titfers, £8-50. Black satin ‘Superstar’ zipper jacket and trousers, by Angela At London Town, £17. Dangly fake diamond earring, from a selection at Marie Middleton, Chelsea Antique Market. Art Deco wall mirror, £6 and black and silver hand mirror, from a selection at Antiquarius. Lipstick and make-up by Biba.

Christmas is coming, so take a good long look at the new you and your clothes. Look for something sexy in black with lots of spangles, for diamonds are a girl’s best friend again.

Just one word from me: Perfection.

Hair by Ricci Burns. Fashion by Norma Moriceau.

Photographed by David Tack.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, December 1971

Floral print, crepe de Chine backless dress with halter neck, by Sheridan Barnett at Simon Massey, £8.75. Black sequin snood, from Crocodile, £4. Sheer black tights, by Elle, 65p. Black suede shoes, by Ravel, £6.50. Diamante clip on velvet band, from a selection at Marie Middleton, Chelsea Antique Market. Diamante bracelet, £3.45. Ring, 60p. By Paul Stephens. Black fur fabric jacket, £15.95. Floral-printed, crepe de Chine dress with black bodice, £12-75. Both by Sheridan Barnett at Simon Massey. Sheer black tights, by Elk, 65p. Black suede shoes, from Sacha, £5.99. Diamante slides, 30p. each. Crescent moon diamante slides, 75p. each. Rings, 60p. each. All by Paul Stephens. Choker, from a selection at Marie Middleton, Chelsea Antique Market. Garter, from Crocodile, £1.50. Mirrors, from the Purple Shop, Antiquarius.
Black satin beret, by Titfers, £8.50. Floral printed rayon blouse with batwing sleeves and knitted waist, cuffs and collar, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £6-50. Two-tone panelled satin skirt, by Mr Freedom, £6.25. Sheer black one-size tights, by Elle, 65p. Black suede peep-toe shoes with red patent butterfly, from Ravel, £6.50. Black velvet beret, by Titfers, £4. Satin spot blouse with knitted rib trim and zipper fastening, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £6.50. Two-tone satin skirt, by Mr Freedom, £6.25. Sheer black one-size tights, by Elle, 65p. Black suede shoes with bow, by Sacha, £5.99. Purse from Q.9 at Antiquarius, £2. Small star brooch and crescent moon brooch, 55p. each, both by Paul Stephens. Diamante bracelets on wrist and ankle, by Paul Stephens, £3.45 each.
Little black knee-length dress in ribbed crepe with satin insets and neck tie, by Ossie Clark for Radley, £13. Black veiling net, from all leading department stores. Sheer black tights, by Elk, 65p. Black suede shoes with red patent trim, by Ravel, £6.50. Diamante bracelet, £3.45. Ring, 60p. Both by Paul Stephens. Moss crepe bolero, in shocking pink with black spots, over bonded-crepe halter-neck dress with spotty trimming, by Rosy Bradford for Quorum, £15.50. Sheer black tights, by Elk, 65p. Black suede shoes, by Sacha, £5.99. Diamante bracelet, by Paul Stephens, £2.