Return Of The Rudeboy

This Summer, a manifesto for refined style and attitude is presented at Somerset House, with the ‘Return Of The Rudeboy’ exhibition. A showcase, my dear friends, which celebrates the sartorial subculture of the 1960’s rudeboy, to todays evolved version.

Casting my mind back to the swinging sixties,  when I was gracing the windows of Biba and Mary Quant and socialising with the likes of David Bailey, it was a revolutionary decade which has proven influential to todays society. Whether you were a  mod, rocker or swinging socialite like me, or indeed a Rudeboy, it is evident that the style of that era has filtered down to todays young urban fashionistas. Shown through a series of photographs at the Return Of The Rudeboy exhibition, over 60 dapper looking individuals from across the UK have been captured, all whom embody the essence of what it is to be a Rudeboy in the 21^st century.

Although, in order to be a Rudeboy or ‘Rudie’  there are no particular style rules as such, there is however a certain level of attitude. According to Kervin Marc (fashion designer) “Rudeboy is an attitude – once you have attitude everything you do, say or wear is Rudeboy!” But notably there is an apparent look – sharply dressed, perhaps a tailored suit, an injection of rich pattern and a pop of colour, a statement hat, always of course, underpinned with laid back, uber-cool character. While the exhibition predominantly focuses on the modern day Rudeboy, it doesn’t disregard the heritage. A number of bustforms showcase outfits which would have been worn at that time, backed up by the obligatory soundtrack of Ska, 2 Tone and reggae. In addition to images, playlists and ensembles, there is a pop-up grooming salon where  chaps can have a shave and cut on select days.

Adding to the charm of this exhibition, I had the pleasure of meeting a West Indian couple who lived in South London, during the Rudeboy period. They danced together whilst Ska music played, and smiled while reliving their youth,  and went on to tell me how every Friday night they would all attend a local dance club, and everybody had to ‘dress to impress’.

Return Of The Rudeboy is free admission at  Somerset House, London until the 25^th August. So, put on your Sunday best and get down there to show off your sartorial swagger!

For more information please see link below.
http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/return-of-the-rudeboy 

HIS NAME IS PAUL SMITH

                   

Hello Darling readers, I must tell you I am barely able to control my excitement for a fabulous exhibition my dear chums – proportion london are involved in; ‘HELLO MY NAME IS PAUL SMITH’ is being held at the Design Museum on November 15^th (only two more days left, eeek!)

I for one cannot wait to step inside the world of the legendary fashion designer and stand in awe of such fine suits and clothing, of course i will  do a follow up post but in the mean time I shall leave with you a little light reading from proportion london...

        

Adding to the celebration of the work by seminal British fashion designer Paul Smith, proportion>london are thrilled to have been invited to collaborate with the Design Museum in the making of the exhibition ‘HELLO MY NAME IS PAUL SMITH’ through sponsorship of a range of bespoke tailor’s forms and mannequins.

Showcasing the work of this legendary designer and celebrating the excellence of a quintessentially   British brand; this exhibition has been many months in the making and as lovingly crafted as one of Sir Pauls own celebrated suits.

As a company, proportion>london have been honoured to have been associated with Paul Smith for over 15 years; proudly supplying this respected client with bust forms, mannequins and display equipment which embodies his witty take on retail clothing presentation. Like the brand, we pride ourselves in innovative ideas; well executed, using quality materials and manufactured to the highest standards. We also share our client’s belief in UK production and local artisan skills, still choosing to manufacture the vast majority of our product in Walthamstow, North London, using traditional techniques, with talented craftspeople of exceptional skill and dedication.

Over the years we have grown to know the Paul Smith team well, rising to the challenge of furnishing them with traditional yet contemporary bespoke display figures and visual merchandising equipment which we believe characterises their product and adds to the wit and ingenuity of the brand presentation. Our shared backgrounds and principles make the relationship that little bit more special!

The unique DNA of the Paul Smith world is captured perfectly in this exhibition; which will later travel world-wide as proud ambassador not only of the brands originality and style, but also of British design, skill and workmanship.

 

  

      

      

Image courtesy and copy right of Paul Smith

 



                      

For tickets and further information on the exhibtion please visit the Design Museum website 

http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2013/paul-smith 

For bespoke tailor forms please visit the proportion london website

http://proportionlondon.com/bg2-14-154-Bespoke-tailoring