A CHEQUERED PAST : LIVES OF THE ARTISTS, LIVES OF THE FRIENDS

Key witness to the 60s and 70s, Peter Schlesinger captured his era like no other. Artists, lovers – great names or perfect strangers: his subjects dress up and down every tradition.

Lightness of the time, lightness of the dress. David Hockney revives the tradition of the Grand Tour in a corduroy overcoat and sky-blue scarf. English aristocrats dress down their Victorian coats with sequined trousers.

Bryan Ferry, W.H. Auden, Robert Mapplethorpe – Paris, London, Cannes. Writers are serious: Isherwood and Auden in beige tweed or sharkskin, ties or button-downs – one open button only.

Photographers abandon their shirts entirely. Eric Boman mixes white gingham, blue stripes and a red cotton jacket with wide lapels and a slight heel. Mapplethorpe thwarts his midnight blue smoking jacket with a denim shirt and jeans. Only Cecil Beaton retains his collar stays: stiff collar, stiff upper lip.

Soft-shouldered tweeds reveal a rugby shirt, high-waisted brown herringbone trousers, pumpkin or cherry-coloured jumpers, pink, black and white Prince of Wales, heeled brogues, strong stripes, fair-isles, “Lanvin”-blue shirts, patterned V-necks, seersucker thrown over t-shirts – the sudden black of dinner suits as night falls on Glyndebourne.

Andy Warhol, Rex Reed. Monte Carlo. 1974.

Celia Birtwell, Ann Upton, David Hockney, Udo Kier, Glyndebourne, 1975

Celia Birtwell, Ann Upton, David Hockney, Udo Kier, Glyndebourne. 1975.

Christopher Isherwood. Santa Monica. 1968.

David Hockney and Cecil Beaton, 1970

David Hockney, Cecil Beaton. 1970.

David Hockney. Paris. 1969.

Eric Boman, Paloma Picasso. 1971.

Eric Boman, St Tropez, 1978

Eric Boman. St Tropez. 1978.

George Lawson, Wayne Sleep. Wigmore Place. 1971.

Hockney drawing Auden. London. 1969.

Mark Lancaster. Brussels. 1970.

Peter Schlesinger as an art student. 1968.

Robert Mapplethorpe. Boulevard St Germain. 1971.

  • THE MEN OF MODIANO
    «Writer of memory, Patrick Modiano is also the writer of fabrics.»
  • THE MEN OF JEAN-LUC GODARD
    « the aesthetics described as “French Mod”: extensive collars on structured shirts, a bit of flair here and a touch of paisley there. »
  • TRUCKER JACKET
    « from being synonymous with rebellion, exemplified within the punk scene and anarchist movements to symbolizing freedom and unity »
  • AUGUST SANDER: PEOPLE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
    « the portrait is your mirror. No, it’s more: it’s you – August Sander »
0
    Your Cart close
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    *free delivery above minimum order value and customs taxes included in prices, for international customers
    This is default text for notification bar