The People of Carnaby Street

[Baron Kurtz]

Is the name (or something like that) of an exhibition running right now in a vacant store in Kingly Court just off Carnaby Street. This chap has been photographing "interesting-looking people" (his words) on Carnaby Street for a couple of months or so. The landlord of Kingly Court was kind enough to provide him with an empty lot in which to display his photographs

The guy running the exhibit was kind enough to give me the 11.5 x 16.5" print of me he had on the wall . . . I didn't know he was taking the picture. This here is a 30s British 6x2 DB suit and a 40s Stetson 15. My photograph of the print is bad, the original is pretty good.

bk

 

[slicedbread]

Great ensemble there, Baron

 

[scotrace]

A sort of Sartorialist fellow eh? Is there any way to see more of the photographs?

Grand picture, grand looking chap. Except for the foppish Bohemian hair of course.

 

[PADDY]

wow!!

You are one sharp looking retromeister!! What a compliment to be part of an exhibition!! :eusa_clap

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Grand picture, grand looking chap. Except for the foppish Bohemian hair of course.

Dat a few months ago. It's a darn site longer now!

bk

 

[Rooster]

Very sharp Baron!

 

[Feraud]

That is a cool picture.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

What a compliment to be part of an exhibition!!

A nice ego boost, yes. Not that i need any more ego.

bk

 

[Doctor Strange]

"Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on - each one, a dedicated follower of fashion!" - Ray Davies

Sorry, I couldn't resist! It's a great picture.

 

[benstephens]

A great picture Baron the suit looks good on you, and what a lovely idea for an exhibition.

Ben

 

[Flitcraft]

"Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on - each one, a dedicated follower of fashion!" - Ray Davies

Man! Now there's a quote worth stealin'!
Thanks, Doc!

 

[Doctor Strange]

Thanks, it's definitely one of my favorite early Kinks tunes - not that there aren't LOTS of other great ones!

That Ray would take on the whole Swinging London phenom critically, instead of the standard rockers' knee-jerk approval of anything regarding young people at the moment, gave clear notice that the Kinks were a more serious outfit than the other British Invasion bands. Full lyrics at:

http://kinks.it.rit.edu/discography/showsong.php?song=74

 

[Spitfire]

Sharp Baron. Very sharp:eusa_clap :eusa_clap And like the hairstyle too...

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The whole aura surrounding Carnaby Street is one of the reasons i really do dislike going there (even though i really love Carnaby Street fashion circa 1966-68; all those ruffles and flowers. Great stuff). Filled with tourists day in day out.

I console myself with the fact that my second favourite London vintage clothing store - from where i had just emerged when this photo was taken - is just off Carnaby Street.

bk

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

(Off-topic? -)

I was rather disappointed with the Soho branch of Beyond Retro. Is the main store better or just larger?

(I didn't make it to the one you mean - do they have stuff from before the 50s?)

 

[Edward]

I can't comment on the Soho Beyond Retro - I've not been in there. The original branch is over in the East End, just off Brick Lane. Much cheaper than many similar places (especially since they ripped the soul out of Camden a few years ago in turning (or at least trying to turn) it into a mini-me Covent Garden for the tourists ), though be prepared to hunt through the racks for something you want. IME, like a lot of retro palces, the proportion of 80s tat is shooting up rapidly. I really don't get why stores would wnat that stuff, but there must be plenty of buyers or they'd not bed in business selling it!

Baron, is that Merc you're referring to? Yeah, I find Carnaby Street a real let down these days. It was nothing of what made it famous when I first moved to London, but at least back then it still had a few interesting alternative wear places and Boy London and the likes (1999) - now it's basically more of the same chains they have on Oxford Street. Bummer.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Merc? No, i don't know that one. Tell me more!

The one i'm talking about is called Twinkled. A surprising amount of CC41 gear for a well-situated store. They've just put some lovely Dunn & Co. hats out on the shopfloor. Their buyer really seems to know what he's talking about, too.

The Beyond Retro on Gt. Marlborough St. is pretty crappy. The one down brick lane way is much better, though still not too good. i've seen a few 40s jackets and lots of 50s in there. And tons of 30s German hats.

bk

 

[Salv]

Great photo bk.

Merc is a mod repro shop on Carnaby Street itself http://www.merc-clothing.com/ They have some nice looking suits, but they use nasty synthetic fabrics.

The only shop I go in along Carnaby Street now is the Lee jeans shop; I go down in the basement to drool over the Lee Japan repros. I haven't been there in a while, and I don't think Twinkled was there last time I went. Must go again soon.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Twinkled is one of a number of vintage stores in an Italian-style courtyard/atrium called Kingly Court which opens onto Carnaby Street, near the Beak Street end. There is also an entrance to Kingly Court on Beak Street.

bk

 

[benstephens]

I am going to try and get there this Friday. I keep meaning to go, but with one thing or other I have not been able to get into London!

Ben