Electric Roulette

Nom De Guerre x Oliver Peoples Roy Orbison sunglasses

Orbison

Oliver Peoples Eyewear has teamed up with Nom de Guerre to produce these retro-styled sunglasses.

It's all about the 1950s, with the hand sculpted designed inspired by the eyewear worn by Roy Orbison in that decade.

Take your pick from dark mahogany or black, both retailing for £159.

Find out more at the Oki-Ni website

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V&A offers exclusive Supremes Love Child t-shirts

Lovechild

In 1968, The Supremes had something of a makover - ditching the ball gowns for 'street' styling and going for a grittier sound for the Love Child album. And you can get that look with the V&A's exclusive Love Child t-shirt.

Based on the top worn by Diana Ross on that album sleeve, the t-shirt is being made available in limited quantities by the V&A to coincide with The Story Of The Supremes exhibition being held at the museum.

You can pre-order now, with the shirts shipping from mid-May. Could be one of the t-shirts to be seen in this summer - and it retails in various sizes for just £18.

Find out more at the V&A website

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Fred Perry's Terry Hall-inspired V-neck sweater

Perry_hall

Coming in September is the latest fashion collaboration from Fred Perry - the Terry Hall-inspired V-neck sweater.

It's based on the one that Hall wore in a copy of The Face (the first edition), a late 70s version with oversized Laurel and a deeper V, but keeping the original shape.

It will be made in pure British lambs wool in a choice of black or maroon in a quantity of just 500.  And that's a worldwide figure - so expect demand to be high when it officially launches in September.

Fred Perry website

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Wonder Workshop - Topman reissues classic rock t-shirts of the 1970s

Wonder

Topman is reissuing a range of classic 1970s rock t-shirts originally designed by cult 70s fashion label Wonder Workshop.

Working with the original Wonder Workshop designers (John Dove and Molly White) and fashion writer Paul Gorman, these tattoo-inspired t-shirts were first seen on some of the biggest names of the decade - Marc Bolan, Iggy Pop, Mick Jagger and Robert plant were all photographed famously in the t-shirts.

Continue reading "Wonder Workshop - Topman reissues classic rock t-shirts of the 1970s" »

The Story of The Supremes exhibition at the V&A

Mary1

The V&A goes 60s soul from next month with its Story of The Supremes exhibition, showing the performance costumes of the band from the Mary Wilson collection.

It runs from 13th May to 19th October, with over 50 outfits on display, charting the changing image of the group from their dresses in the early days (when they were known as The Primettes) to the glamorous Hollywood designs they wore at the height of their fame. The exhibition will also explore the inspirational role The Supremes played in changing racial perceptions and their influence on today’s performers.

Continue reading "The Story of The Supremes exhibition at the V&A" »

Essential Rock 'n' Roll Fashion #811 : The headless bass

HeadlessbassOkay. So you're a maligned bass player in a band. No-one ever notices you. Man, you're only one rung up from the drummer... and he's not even a real musician! So how do you get yourself noticed? How do you let the world know that you're sophisticated and, hell, it's not all Louie Louie! I've been learning Level 42 basslines! I'M A VIRTUOSO DAMMIT!

Enter the headless bass.

Sleek, lightweight and stylish, the headless bass guitar lets everybody know that you mean business. Carrying one of these bad boys says "Yeah, I can rock out... but jus' gimme a minute and I'll get some slap thumbing on the go. Ever heard a bass player nail Flight of the Bumblebee?" Once you're comfortable with the new and exciting design, you can start thinking about getting a fifth string... hell... four jus' ain't enough izzit? Man, you can lose the frets while you're at it! People always make jokes about bass players... but buying one of these rascals will ensure that all eyes will be on you.

(note. Best worn with protective head gear and a full suit of armour)

Vans launches Johnny Ramone clothing and footwear range

Vans_johnny

A good time to cash in on a rock star is when he's not around. And four years after his death, Johnny Ramone is a suitable candidate for a clothing collection, courtesy of Vans.

Due to launch in spring 2008, the collection includes a t-shirt with concert shot on front and Ramones logo on back (£25), Johnny Ramone stone washed grey super skinny jeans (£60) and a slip-on featuring the man and his signature (£38).

Not my cup of tea, but if you're a Ramones obsessive, you might be tempted.

Vans website

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Darkcloud Silver's Turntable Ring - with real vinyl

Turntable_ring Looking for something special for the DJ or vinyl collector in your life? Darkcloud Silver's Turntable Ring could fit the bill.

It's part of a music range that also includes headphones, microphones and a record deck on a chain, but let's concentrate on the ring. It features a choice of real vinyl or silver for the record, a moving stylus arm and a main body that's built from sterling silver.

All handmade too, so you should get something unique. If you want one, it retails for AUS $350, which is around £153.

Find out more at the Oye Modern website

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Lee 101J 1966 denim jacket - as worn by The Beatles

Lee_beatles Fancy a denim jacket with real heritage? You need the Lee 101J 1966 jacket.

This is a replica of the Lee 101J from 1966, made famous by The Beatles, who wore these very same jackets in that year for a Scandinavian photo shoot. The jacket is made from premium Japanese denim and has an adjustable waist, two button-fastening chest pockets and the Lee tab on the chest pocket.

Yours from Oi Polloi for £159.99.

Find out more at the Oi Polloi website

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Essential Rock 'n' Roll Fashion # 909: The Beard

RichardmanuelWhere would rock 'n' roll be without the beard? Just how do you tell your fans that you've gone all serious without sounding like a pretentious git? A beard tells everyone that you're not buying into the game man... we don't play that shit man... it's all about the music maaan. Yep. The beard is your messenger to those in the know.

When the Beatles' grew their chins out, they were saying "Listen... forget that mop-top crap... we got the blues now!" And think of funny ol' Jimbo Morrison. When he grew his beard, he was desperate for everyone to take his sixth form scribblings seriously... I mean, he even drank whisky neat from the bottle. Sadly for The Lizard Thing, his drinkin' and hirsutery left him looking more like a randy vagrant rather than a sex God. Still... you'd rather that than the doe eyed whistful bozo horseshit he was playing around with circa Waiting For The Sun.

People still use The Beard now. Bands like The Magic Numbers, a beard on every one of 'em, show their fondness for sixties cred with their jaw. Still, everyone has a long way to go before they reach the bearded heights of The Band. Danko et al had separate dressing rooms for their beards. The beards even had their own song with Jawbone. Hippie musical Hair was a tribute to the chins of those carrying The Weight... so basically, you ain't shit with a naked face. Mof Gimmers

Essential Rock 'n' Roll Fashion # 917: The Skinny Jean

SkinnyjeansAh. The skinny jean. The skinny jean is so post modern... or po-mo... that they have probably rebranded themselves ski-jays. Obviously, the skinny jeans is a kick against us squares still strutting around in flares and boot-cuts. We're so, like, the enemy man. Skinny jeans signify two fingers to the hippies... 2007 is the new year dot... we're into post-punk... stick your Crosby Stills and Nash records you bearded Bob Harris wannabes.

Sadly, the second year dot leaves you with either Year 2.0 or a piece of Morse Code... and both of those things are completely wank. Of course, the real reason that skinny jeans are popular is to show off your post modern shoes. These leg huggers leave nothing to the imagination... cuz we're young and free and wild... yep... and clearly displaying a complete absence of testicles. Now fuck off before you get a hernia from dancing to Lene Lovich sound-a-likes.

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