07/04/2008 Music and fashion have been bed-fellows for quite some time. They’re like ancient lovers; only their relationship is quite beautiful. Not like 80-year-old Betty with the cataracts and gammy leg getting a quickie from Old Man Thomas in the back-alley of the nursing home. No, rather than going stale, cranky and unpleasant like most of the old folk, music inspired fashion continues to be as influential in ’08 as it was in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and there after. It’s still a beautiful thing.
Now the ultimate style bible ‘The Look: Adventures in Rock & Pop Fashion’ has decided to inject some much needed ‘rock’ greatness of yesteryear into the whole industry. They’ve hacked away at the flesh of rock and roll with a rusty hacksaw and exposed what lies at the bone – the Raw Power of rock! If you’ve ever seen the sleeve for Iggy and The Stooges ‘Raw Power’ then you’ll know what I mean. Not the picture of a topless Iggy looking all feminine with his bare-chest exposed which (despite sounding mildly homosexual) is a mighty fine picture, but the one on the back where Iggy’s peering over his shoulder wearing that leather jacket with the Cheetah’s head on it. Rock/Punk greatness personified. “A street walking Cheetah with a heart full of napalm!”
It was designed by Wonder Workshop. They were hugely popular in the 70s with all the rock-stars of the period. I guess you could say they were the first rock fashion label. Not like Rick Wakeman who, despite being mildly respectable, was actually pretty crap; no, we mean rock-stars that pack more of a punch then the synth ridden mediocrity of The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. People like Mick Jagger who is arguably the finest “performer” in the history of rock, Paul McCartney, Marc Bolan (R.I.P), Robert Plant, Sid Vicious and of course Iggy Pop himself. These people have given far more to the industry than a high-profile gig and an interview with Oprah. They’ve inspired generation after generation with the mastery of their fields, their attitude, charisma and style.
 The Look Presents have teamed-up with Wonder Workshop designers John Dove and Molly White to bring the tattoo-inspired prints of the 70s into a new era. The Leopard print of Raw Power notoriety has been redeveloped with on a charcoal retro backdrop. There’s another t-shirt of two doves that look like they’re about to slaughter a dove that’s kind of spitting feathers… Not literally, but it looks that way. Maybe it means “Screw Peace let’s ROCK!” or something.
“We are plugging directly into the electricity of rock and pop fashion by working with brilliant original designers,” music and fashion historian Paul Gorman, an author of The Look. “The Look Presents is all about reinvigorating the menswear market with authenticity and integrity.”
The t-shirts will be available from the end of May priced at £25 and will be stocked in selected stores and online at Topman.com. The range is the first of two t-shirt collaborations between Topman and The Look Presents with a Nigel Waymouth; a range of darkly psychedelic graphic t-shirts from the founder of legendary King’s Road boutique Granny Takes a Trip. There’s a third collaboration too, although it’s not really suitable for skid row bums like me; it’s a collection of suits titled Priceless by Antony Price. A clever name for them granted, but there’s as much chance of them being free as there is of Rick Wakeman shafting Old Man Thomas in the back alley of the nursing home… Or on King Arthur’s round table. Words: Dave Dryden
Visit The Look Presents website for further updates and information. |
