1960s Research

Further to my last post about the MoDA visit, I have decided to look further at the 1960s. 

The 'Swinging Sixties' are famous for many things: The Beatles, new fashions and a drastic change in peoples views mainly lead by the youth of the era. 

Here are a few examples of the fashions of the sixties:

Men's 'Mod' style business suit. 

Men's cardigan from 1960s. 

 The Beatles 

Example of 1960s print in ladies fashion

How mens suits had changed in the sixties


Example print from 1960s drapery fabric

Inspiring Objects/Creative Journeys

On a visit to MoDA I was looking at a piece of machine woven fabric from the 1960s. The weave was quite thick and there was a print running from top to bottom, repeated three times. It was quite abstract, reminding me of Picasso's work. The fabric was a beige colour, dirty with use, and the print colours were neutral, in brown, greys and blues. The piece was quite big, but I thought it would have been a smaller sample of the orginal item, maybe used for a wall hanging, curtain or blind.

(The design was made by Alan Munrow Reynolds for Edinborough Weavers as part of the 60s artist movement in fashion and fabrics.)

I have decided to look at the style/date for further research from this item. 

32 Cremer Street

32 Cremer street is a trust property found below the arches just outside Hoxton overground station in East London. It is now an unofficial squat used by only one person and turned into an intimate club venue now and again. 

The space is small (what would have been a two up, two down house) with the coat check in the kitchen and living room used as the bar/dance floor. Upstairs is a chill out room with old leather sofas and one wall covered in a bookcase (giving it a homely feel) and toilets behind. 

The club nights held here have a very intimate feel as the venue holds around 100 people. Everyone knows someone who knows someone and the outside smoking den makes for the perfect place to meet everyone. 

Club nights like 'bite my lip' with the dress code 'dress the fuck up' is what this place is all about. It is the norm here for guys to be dressed in heels or mad face paint. I have even seen one guy dressed in full riding gear. 

The small dance floor come bar come DJ booth is filled with House music with good mix of trance too. All in all the perfect place to party until the small hours of the morning.