Calling All Mods! Calling All Mods!

[deanswift58]

Open your minds, enjoy

Hi,

Greetings, from someone who started out his road to clothing obessiveness as a mod, and subsequently developing an interest for men's clothing from all eras (though mainly from the 1920s on wards), I find this website of a Tokyo based tailor to be great eye candy.

I first read about him in a Japanese street fashion magazine, which talked about his interest in recreating and reinterpreting mens fashion of all eras and how his clientele ranges from adventurous teens, musicians to old school gents. While the workmanship is not genre defining, it is fascinating that his work covers so many eras...

http://www.bostontailor.com/bostontailor/details/page001.html
(use the << sign on the left to navigate)

There are 24 pages so enjoy!

 

[Senator Jack]

WElcome to the lounge, Dean. Thanks for the post for Boston Tailor. I haven't run across that before. The perfect double-breasted trenchcoat is something I've been looking for for a long time. I really like this one, except for the flap on the right shoulder. Never liked that flap on trenchcoats.

This single-breasted screams 50s Cardin. They did a great job with it.

I don't know if we've had the link to this site before. Not a lot of members pay attention to the mod posts here, so you should probably post it as a new thread under general attirement. More than a few members will be interested in the 3-piece suits.


Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[deanswift58]

Cheers Senator Jack,

I shall do so, but from a few of the threads I've read, some blokes appear to be rather puritan in their views...

While I dig gear from the golden era, I still feel more partial to the whole pre-carnaby street, Blue Note LP covers and French New Wave inspired stylings of the subculture.

BTW, deanswift58 is my hommage to The mod(ernist) character in Colin MacInnes' book, the Absolute Beginners.

 

[Senator Jack]

Ummm...yeah, I have to agree about the puritanism, but don't let that stop you from hanging around. We do need more people to discuss the 50s/60 style. It does tend to get the short shrift.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Salv]

Cheers Senator Jack,

I shall do so, but from a few of the threads I've read, some blokes appear to be rather puritan in their views...

While I dig gear from the golden era, I still feel more partial to the whole pre-carnaby street, Blue Note LP covers and French New Wave inspired stylings of the subculture.

BTW, deanswift58 is my hommage to The mod(ernist) character in Colin MacInnes' book, the Absolute Beginners.

Welcome to the Lounge dean - I love that book, and must dig it out again. Have you read Paolo Hewitt's The Soul Stylists - lots of original Mods talking about their clothes. And whereabouts are you? (if you don't mind me asking) US, UK?

 

[deanswift58]

Welcome to the Lounge dean - I love that book, and must dig it out again. Have you read Paolo Hewitt's The Soul Stylists - lots of original Mods talking about their clothes.

I enjoyed that book immensely, esp. I knew of Patrick Uden as a video industry professional. Also check out:-
Nik Cohn's "Today there are No Gentlemen" which was THE book for British youth culture (Hipsters to Skins)
Sharper World by edited by Hewitt again which focuses on Mod
Streetstyles from Zooties to Techno

Welcome to the Lounge dean - And whereabouts are you? (if you don't mind me asking) US, UK?

Not at all. I lived in Toronto for most of my youth, then I relocated to Hong Kong 10 years ago - working for a British design practice, I also worked at their London studio for a few months and I try to visit Tokyo for at least once a year to consume (records and clothes, obviously )

 

[Salv]

I enjoyed that book immensely, esp. I knew of Patrick Uden as a video industry professional. Also check out:-
Nik Cohn's "Today there are No Gentlemen" which was THE book for British youth culture (Hipsters to Skins)
Sharper World by edited by Hewitt again which focuses on Mod
Streetstyles from Zooties to Techno



Not at all. I lived in Toronto for most of my youth, then I relocated to Hong Kong 10 years ago - working for a British design practice, I also worked at their London studio for a few months and I try to visit Tokyo for at least once a year to consume (records and clothes, obviously )

Thanks for the book tips. The Nik Cohn appears very hard to find - bookfinder.com couldn't come up with a copy, but I'll try a more thorough search later.

If you were in the UK I was going to ask if you were a customer at John Simons in London - did you manage to get to his shop while you were here?

 

[deanswift58]

Thanks for the book tips. The Nik Cohn appears very hard to find - bookfinder.com couldn't come up with a copy, but I'll try a more thorough search later.

If you were in the UK I was going to ask if you were a customer at John Simons in London - did you manage to get to his shop while you were here?

You're welcome! London shops close soo early! I worked till 8 or 9 on all days but Sundays, all I saw were the studio, clubs and pubs :rage:

Sundays were for galleries and record shops at Intoxica, Ray's, Soul Jazz, Mole Jazz (think it's closed now) and Rough Trade!

 

[Salv]

You're welcome! London shops close soo early! I worked till 8 or 9 on all days but Sundays, all I saw were the studio, clubs and pubs :rage:

Sundays were for galleries and record shops at Intoxica, Ray's, Soul Jazz, Mole Jazz (think it's closed now) and Rough Trade!

Aaahhhh, record shops, now you're talking! Intoxica and Soul Jazz (it moved and changed names recently to Sounds Of The Universe) have had far too much of my money, as have Out On The Floor and Sounds That Swing in Camden, and Soul Brother in Putney.

But yes, Mole has gone, finally closing late last year I think, after relocating again to the first floor above a classical music specialist in Soho. Ray's shop closed but they relocated to Foyle's bookshop in Charing Cross Road and are still going strong.

I recently introduced my daughter and her best friend (both aged 14 and starting to get into pretty-boy indie bands) to Rough Trade and they stood there nervously while some strange industrial noise was being pumped through the speakers. I thought they'd really like it in there, but it proved to be a little too indie for them. Bless 'em...

 

[deanswift58]

Aaahhhh, record shops, now you're talking!

Salv,

have you been to Tokyo? If you hav the funds you really should/must go! That place is SERIOUS! The specialisation is scary even for an obesssive like moi! Good sized shops that sells specific styles or decades of any given eras (I've been to a Hard Bop only shop, one that only sells 60s Tikki music, another that only sell Jamacian recorded reggae/dub from 1964 to 1979, where that don't sell any Island-era Marley!)

The "Disk Union Street" in Shinjuku is maddness! The 4 storey Jazz bldg, the 7 storey "classic Rock/Pop", the aptly named Basement 60s-80s R&B/Soul floor, the list goes on...

Even a high street shop like Tower goes gojira sized, 9 floors of unbridled consumerism, each the size of a floor of the Virgin Megastore flagship in London!

Just writing about it, makes me wanna go again!

 

[Salv]

Salv,

have you been to Tokyo? If you hav the funds you really should/must go! That place is SERIOUS! The specialisation is scary even for an obesssive like moi! Good sized shops that sells specific styles or decades of any given eras (I've been to a Hard Bop only shop, one that only sells 60s Tikki music, another that only sell Jamacian recorded reggae/dub from 1964 to 1979, where that don't sell any Island-era Marley!)

The "Disk Union Street" in Shinjuku is maddness! The 4 storey Jazz bldg, the 7 storey "classic Rock/Pop", the aptly named Basement 60s-80s R&B/Soul floor, the list goes on...

Even a high street shop like Tower goes gojira sized, 9 floors of unbridled consumerism, each the size of a floor of the Virgin Megastore flagship in London!

Just writing about it, makes me wanna go again!

Excuse me while I wipe drool from my keyboard....

No, I've never been to Tokyo, but I've wanted to visit for a long, long time. As you must know it's not just repro clothes, the Japanese are legendary for the quality and quantity of their music reissues. The Japanese P-Vine label is one of the greatest reissue labels in the world for rare and obscure soul (my main musical love) and while some of their stuff finds its way to the UK it's always horribly expensive, but is usually the only way to find certain material. And of course, as with all things Western, the Japanese are the most fanatical collectors of the original records - a friend lived in Japan for a few years and when he returned he told me about a bar he came across one day. It was called something like "The Little Soul Bar" and looked like it was set up in someones living room with a bar in the corner, a few armchairs and tables spread around, and the walls covered in shelves full of original soul albums. My friend ordered a drink, and the bartender asked if there was anything he wanted to listen to. He asked for an album called The Show Must Go On by a singer called Sam Dees, who has a strong cult following in the UK, so the bartender pulled it off the shelf, put it on the turntable and went on to serve the next customer. Now that's my kind of drinking establishment.

 

[deanswift58]

It was called something like "The Little Soul Bar" and looked like it was set up in someones living room with a bar in the corner, a few armchairs and tables spread around, and the walls covered in shelves full of original soul albums. My friend ordered a drink, and the bartender asked if there was anything he wanted to listen to. He asked for an album called The Show Must Go On by a singer called Sam Dees, who has a strong cult following in the UK, so the bartender pulled it off the shelf, put it on the turntable and went on to serve the next customer. Now that's my kind of drinking establishment.

Sam Dees! I only remember I dug "Lonely for you Baby" and "Vanishing Love"

They also have Jazz record bars and rare groove cafes...

This is not an office building, it's nine floors music goodness:-
http://www.towerrecords.jp/store/images/store03.jpg

Enjoy this little article I found...

http://www.dagogo.com/47LabNARU.html

 

[Lincsong]

..

 

[Rooster]

OK, I'll play

Mod, just exactly what is that? I'm not quite sure of the definition of the term. This suit is dated 1968, so does that automatically make it Mod? Or is there a certain style or cut that makes it Mod? I'm guessing style or cut....

You have to remember, I'm from Iowa, we probably missed the Mod thing completely the first time around.lol

 

[dundeedavie]

You'll have to come up for the Northern Soul dance party we have, Barry. Every third Saturday of the month. Details at http://www.subwaysoul.com

Regards,

Senator Jack

it's not relevant to this thread but Michael Robinson is a GENIUS !!!

DundeeDavie (basics edinburgh/ flipside barcelona)

 

[reetpleat]

Mod, just exactly what is that? I'm not quite sure of the definition of the term. This suit is dated 1968, so does that automatically make it Mod? Or is there a certain style or cut that makes it Mod? I'm guessing style or cut....

You have to remember, I'm from Iowa, we probably missed the Mod thing completely the first time around.lol

I am no expert, but true mod was about a lot of inovative details from saville row and pickadelly street if I am not mistaken. These days I see the mods on their scooters, many of which used to be friends. Actually that is ten years ago. Today the scooter crowd around here is bomber jackets and doc martins. BUt the suit wearing mods tend to just go with skinny cut, usually three button suits in dark or sharkskin fabrics. But the true mods were much more precise and aoften quite different if you liook at old pics.

The thing is, part of the culture was changing style. So that the faces would bve the leaders who would bring in new changes, and all the mods would follow suit (s0rry) Part of the whole thing was that by being in the latest style, you showed you awere in and one of them. IF you were even a few weeks late in your style, you were an outsider and not with it. It was kind of a style by little detains such that they would fit inbto their jobs as clerks, office boys etc, but the little details that most people would not notice distinguished them as a secret society of sorts. Kind of a unique sense of belonging and being subversive, while still blending in. OR so I have read. Interesting.

 

[Jovan]

Interesting thread, thanks for the revival.

EDIT: Speaking of mod suits... I think you guys need to give Thick as Thieves a look. I posted a thread about it on here before and it got the short end of the stick in the same vain as some of Jack's threads. They are $435 each in standard fabrics and are hand canvassed. I quite like the three button one, myself. The "Ivy Sack" is also pretty cool.

 

[hotrod_elf]

Mod, just exactly what is that? I'm not quite sure of the definition of the term. This suit is dated 1968, so does that automatically make it Mod? Or is there a certain style or cut that makes it Mod? I'm guessing style or cut....

You have to remember, I'm from Iowa, we probably missed the Mod thing completely the first time around.lol

You look sharp nevertheless! I would by a chicken from you in that suit.

 

[Jovan]

Was that a reference to his screen name?

 

[J.S.Udontknowme]

Mod makes me think of this suit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf2REfOqI80