‘When the Home Guard Manual of Camouflage’ by Roland Penrose, a lecturer to the War Office for Instructors to the Home Guard, was first published in October 1941 the prospect of a German invasion on mainland Britain was seen as a very real and probably threat. As a Quaker and staunch pacifist his influence in the development of camouflage techniques during WWII is fascinating, though in his own words “The author makes no claim to their originality, many of them are as old as warfare itself”.
Afraid this one is only for the professionals, well at least the actual invitation to view the collection in Istanbul is…
A nice bundle of selvedge denim aprons from the golden age of American labour. Brass grommets, bar-tacked and pocketed, double stitched etc. With the re-launch of Carter’s we thought we’d show some original examples. Both practical and useful, these shouldn’t just be the preserve of coffee barista’s, and aloof waiters, so let’s try and bring back the humble apron.
What’s not to like about this? Stripes, Fair-Isle, glorious beard, vintage camera…
Paul McCartney getting back to nature, going native on the beautiful island of Mull post Beatles.
A cool 1960s sweatshirt with the catchphrase “Ve-e-e-ry Interesting” made famous by Arte Johnson as ‘Wolfgang’ the German soldier, in the era defining comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. The psychedelic sketch show ran from 1968 to 1973, and featured a host of cooky counter-culture characters, it also introduced a very young Goldie Hawn to television.
This one features a single Vee front neck, woven label, and probably dates to the late 60s. It is available to buy at the Earlham St. store now.
Words SM / photos NS
A blacksmiths leather apron. A leather tool pouch, interestingly with a broad arrow stamp, made by Wilmot Bennett of Walsall. The makers mark dated 1940.
Original 501s hidden rivets all singing all dancing improvised (allegedly) for the runway back in 90s with GUCCI tags and hardware making them either worthless or priceless depending on your point of view!
As worn by British army commandoes during WWII, like in the film of the title, a ribbed reinforced sweater with shoelace neck drawstring. This one has the broad arrow on the label, and interestingly is dated 1953.
In the same year Ang Nima, a sherpa on the 1953 Everest Expedition is seen sporting one, in this portrait by Expedition photographer Alfred Gregory. Not new territory perhaps but an insight into the longevity of military pieces in a non-military context.
words SM / photo Nic Shonfeld.
Well, marching. Square bashing, drilling, stomping, yomping, yes they are British army officers boots from the 1940s. They bear all the hallmarks of empire building quality leather boots standard issue during the war, increasingly scarce nowadays.
As a follow on to the Beethoven sweatshirt craze piece, here is another famous instantly recognisable face worthy of being on a sweatshirt. He happens also to be wearing a very nice V fronted vintage sweat. Perhaps if Ludwig Van was around in the 1950s he too would share Alfred’s taste in American casual clothes, now there’s a thought.
When in Berlin we highly recommend this exhibition of photographs by Ishimoto Yasuhiro, currently showing at the Bauhaus-archiv until the 12th of March. The subject, the 17th century Katsura Detached Palace in Kyoto is remarkably contemporary in design and reminiscent of 20th century de Stijl art, in particular the composition of the panelled rooms look like mini Piet Mondrian paintings. This synthesis of East meets West mirrors the photographers own life story, born in the US in 1921, he was interned during WWII, eventually becoming a Japanese citizen in 1969.
Words SM / Photos Nic Shonfeld
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