Pyschedelia – Paul Gorman is…

1930s

‘They had the t-shirt off his back’: The 40th anniversary of the creation of the notorious Cowboys t-shirt + the obscenity debate it sparked in the pages of The Guardian

This month – specifically July 26 – marks the 40th anniversary of the introduction for sale of Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Cowboys t-shirt in Sex, the revolutionary boutique he operated at 430 King’s Road with Vivienne Westwood. The shirt’s status as the most provocative of all punk designs is enhanced by the fact that it made […]

July 11, 2015

1970s

One of the unpindownables of the counter culture: Jack Henry Moore 1940-2014

Jack Henry Moore – who has died aged 73 – was one of the unpindownables of the counterculture in the 60s and 70s. Known principally as a pioneering video film-maker and sound recordist (the archive he leaves behind is estimated to contain more than 70,000 hours of tape compiled over five decades), Moore was central […]

April 9, 2014

1970s

When Jesus danced with the Sex Pistols

If you are of a London gig-goer of a certain (getting on to be advanced) age you will remember “Jesus”, an enthusiastic audience member at many musical events in the capital from the 60s to the late 70s. Jesus was notable because a) he was personable and b) would often discard his clothes as he […]

January 29, 2014

430 King's Road

The Look Of London: An illustrated guide to the city’s most influential fashion spots 1950-2000

Tomorrow (October 11) is the publication date of The Look Of London, my map collaboration with the pre-eminent modern guide-makers Herb Lester Associates. “This map is a reminder that London, with all its individuality and character, is still very exciting,” writes Paul Smith in the foreword; he opened at 44 Floral Street WC2 in 1979.

October 10, 2012

430 King's Road

V&A talk today: King’s Road from Mary Quant to Malcolm McLaren + Vivienne Westwood

This morning I am participating in the V&A’s study day From Biba To Topshop with a presentation on the rise and fall of boutique culture in London’s King’s Road, starting with the opening of Bazaar by Archie Nairn, Alexander Plunket-Green and Mary Quant at 138a in 1955 and closing with the establishment of World’s End […]

June 30, 2012

Events

Talk at the V&A: 60s posters from Pop to Psychedelia

Tomorrow I’m participating in the V&A study day on British design in the 60s with a talk about the development of graphics and poster art during the decade. I’m speaking at 2.30pm – more details here.

June 15, 2012

Books

Beatbooks 58: Psychedelia

Psychedelics – in the form of art, design, drugs, literature, music and the counter-culture – dominate the latest catalogue from BeatBooks.

July 19, 2011