Gear Guide: Hip-pocket Guide to Britain’s Swinging Fashion Scene - David Johnson & Roger Dunkley
JOHNSON, David; DUNKLEY, Roger. Gear Guide: Hip-pocket Guide to Britain’s Swinging Fashion Scene. London: Seymour Press (Atlas Pictorial Presentation), 1967.
Drawings and design by Julia Stone; photographs by Bob Baker.
72 pp. 2 coloured maps, numerous photos, drawings. PB. Sm. 8vo. Ink date ‘9-6-67’to top of title page. Very good copy.
Elusive, charming and entertaining first edition of this indispensable illustrated pocket guide to London’s swinging fashion scene, filled with vivid descriptions of the most stylish shops and boutiques of Carnaby Street, Soho and King’s Road, Chelsea, and their chic patrons. Some of the fashion gear detailed here are mini-skirts, hip-hugging trousers or hipsters, pre-shrunk & pre-bleached denim, and swimming briefs made of stretch materials.
Some of the best descriptions in this book read like time travel pieces, placing the reader right in the middle of the 1960s London fashion scene. Here are a few:
John Michael at 106 King’s Road ‘is a very discreet place. There’s no music. The decor is simple with a whole of white painted wood. The suggestion is one of quality and taste. Prices, too, are rather quality ones but there’s no danger of the products falling to pieces after a few days. The designs are very elegant and discreet. […] For the man who wants to look modern but not too way out, this is a very good place to shop. The first Beatle suit was made by John Michael – and what better guarantee can there be than that?’
When Dandie Fashion opened at 161 King’s Road ‘the Rolling Stones bought the entire stock. The place is constantly full of similarly discriminating gentlemen (and you might see Brigitte Bardot – if you’re lucky!)’
Foale and Tuffin at 1 Marlborough Court: "All clothes here are designed by Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, and the standard is way above what may be called ‘standard Carnaby Street’. […] The products here are spoken of with respect by the art school crowd, a discerning ‘with-it’ group. […] Most of the celebrities who come here –people like Francoise Hardy and Cathy McGowan – come again and again.”
‘English chic is fiercely now – by the young for the young’ (p 15)