Practical Styling: Previously unpublished photos of the shop of the 80s

//An early 80s window display by Simon Haynes: Geometrically arranged brightly coloured platforms and ladders//

//This giant "toy" portcullis was produced by Haynes for Practical Styling in the mid-80s//

//Haynes' neo-classical backdrop for another mid-80s display//

These photographs from the archive of artist/set designer Simon Haynes convey the scope and ambition of the great 80s British independent retail outlet Practical Styling, operated by Paul Jones and Tommy Roberts on the ground floor and basement of London’s brutalist CentrePoint building.

//Tommy Roberts strikes a series of poses for Haynes for the neo-classical backdrop//

Jones and Roberts’ exuberant dismantling of the received ideas of selling furniture, home wares and interiors helped redefine retailing in the decade; design historian Catherine McDermott described the outlet as “a haven for the bizarre, the outrageous and the straight kitsch” and said Roberts “represents that part of British creativity which is able to delight and surprise”.

//Haynes + Roberts at work on a window display//

//PS shopfront with such trademark items as a Dexion shelving unit, an artist palette-shaped coffee table and pink metal-framed sofa. Poignantly, the steeple reflection in the window is that of St Giles-in-the Fields, where the memorial service for Roberts was held earlier this year//

Meanwhile, Edinburgh College of Art’s principal Chris Breward has pointed out that Practical Styling represented an extremely important cultural moment: “A connection to the development of post-modern practice in the 80s.”

For the duration of the store’s existence between 1981 and 1986, Jones – who says the pair “introduced design to functional objects (by) referencing the past or playing with colour or quirky shapes” – was largely happy to stay in the shadows, sourcing items from Japan, Mexico or continental Europe, scanning catalogues, talking manufacturers through design ideas and visiting embassy trade missions.

//Note section of PS logo on metal mesh grille above main entrance; this was designed by Roberts (on left in this photograph) and created by Peter Denmark. Also note artist signature-style fascia//

The mediagenic Roberts was naturally the focus of attention given his history having run Kleptomania, Mr Freedom and City Lights Studio and worked with such figures as Ian Dury. Utilising the canvas of the large street-level window space, he drew on the talents of in-house designer Peter Denmark for fascia and other flourishes, and brought Simon Haynes on board to execute a series of daring displays, as you can see here from these previously unpublished working shots taken during installations.