Not currently on display at the V&A

Bathing Costume

ca. 1967 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Bill Green opened his shop 'Vince', in London’s Newburgh Street in 1954. It was the first men's boutique to open in the Carnaby Street area and traded in sophisticated European styles. Vince quickly became popular with actors and models. John Stephen started work there as a shop assistant in the early 1950s and saw the potential popularity of more exuberant menswear for the mainstream youth market. Building on what he had learned at Vince, he had opened four shops in Carnaby Street by 1962 and established the area as the heart of youthful, informal fashions. The colourful clothes, cheap prices and fast turn-over of styles instigated a turning point in British menswear fashion and retailing.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Nylon
Brief description
Cream synthetic bathing costume, Vince, ca. 1967, Britain.
Physical description
Cream nylon men's bathing costume with an elasticated waistband.
Dimensions
  • Waist circumference: 54cm
Production typeReady to wear
Marks and inscriptions
STRETCH NYLON BRIEF / Styled by Vince / [word illegible] Shop of London / L (Label in waistband.)
Credit line
Given by Sir Roy Strong
Object history
This object was given to the museum by Sir Roy Strong, who from 1974-1987 acted as Director and Secretary of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Summary
Bill Green opened his shop 'Vince', in London’s Newburgh Street in 1954. It was the first men's boutique to open in the Carnaby Street area and traded in sophisticated European styles. Vince quickly became popular with actors and models. John Stephen started work there as a shop assistant in the early 1950s and saw the potential popularity of more exuberant menswear for the mainstream youth market. Building on what he had learned at Vince, he had opened four shops in Carnaby Street by 1962 and established the area as the heart of youthful, informal fashions. The colourful clothes, cheap prices and fast turn-over of styles instigated a turning point in British menswear fashion and retailing.
Collection
Accession number
T.22-2006

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Record createdJuly 13, 2007
Record URL
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