Scroll down for all upcoming events and exhibitions to celebrate our anniversary.
If you have any documentation or footage of things you have seen here please send them to us!
]]>You can read the ID article about the film HERE
Scroll down for all upcoming events and exhibitions to celebrate our anniversary.
If you have any documentation or footage of things you have seen here please send them to us!
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To celebrate The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection's 30th Anniversary
The Chamber of Pop Culture is Proud To Present
"Be reasonable - demand the impossible!"
Exhibition runs from Sat 3rd May - Sat 31st May 2008
Private View Fri 2nd May 7.30
Throughout the month of May we shall be presenting a multi faceted installation featuring displays of some of the most important and rarely seen items of clothing from The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection, from Zoot Suiters to Spivs, Mods and Rockers through to Seditionaries and Chavs.
A slide show of literally hundreds of shoots in leading magazines, such as the Face, i-D, Vogue, Dazed & Confused etc, etc + Music Videos, Commercials and Movies all illustrating how the collection has been used over the last 30 years by numerous photographers, directors, stylists and designers.
Hidden away below street level, floor to ceiling racks laden with rare and exotic street fashions spanning the last sixty years, demand attention. From teenage angst and rites of passage to dreams of changing the world, these fineries were once displayed with attitude and stance, by kids who'd rebel against anything you'd got... and generations who really believed... they'd die before they got old...!
The exuberant and radical force of rebellion, protest and subversion that still permeate these clothes has consistently inspired the programming of events in The Chamber of Pop Culture since its inception, and this months impressive line up of events will continue to push the boundaries of style.
Vive le Punk
As part of the exhibition we shall be screening "Vive Le Punk" a fascinating and previously unseen documentary of The Chamber of Pop Culture's very first exhibition in 1993. The documentary features Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren talking in depth about their designs and is a valuable insight into how they broke all the rules of convention and inspired a generation. To the best of our knowledge this is the only time that they have been filmed together discussing their legacy.
Thursday 22nd May: Paul Gorman (author, The Look) will be in conversation with Roger K. Burton
Friday 23rd May: David Ellis's Rapid Response Unit in conjunction with The Horse Hospital PRESENTS Kitted out: But who gets to dress the assassins?
The exhibition also coincides with The Horse Hospital programme for The Fashion in Film Festival screenings
Monday 26th May: Zoot Suit Riots
Thursday 29th May: Blood and Black Lace (Sei donne per l'assassino)
Saturday 31st May: So what! Two tales of Juvenile Delinquency (The Boys, The Violent Years) curated by Roger K. Burton
And The Horse Hospital programme for All Power to the Imagination! 1968 and Its Legacies
Saturday 26th April: Flashing the Sixties + Hi Mom!
Friday 16th May: Manson + The Hippie Revolt
Wednesday 28th May: The Whole World is Watching: Weatherman 69
Thursday 22nd May 7:30pm
£5:
Paul Gorman (author, The Look) will be in conversation with Roger K. Burton about the development of The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection over the last 30 years and his contribution to image creation and his involvement in a multiplicity of projects, from PX to World's End to Nostalgia Of Mud to Quadrophenia to the Horse Hospital, via ads, videos, fashion, art and film. The talk will be accompanied by key images from the archive, inspirational artefacts and a specially styled fashion show.
Friday 23rd May 7:30pm
£5:
David Ellis's Rapid Response Unit in conjunction with The Horse Hospital PRESENTS
Kitted out: But who gets to dress the assassins?
David Ellis Writer/Performer/Curator invites Max Decharne, Writer/Musician/Cultural historian and founder of 'The Flaming Stars' to rifle through a pre-selected rail of 50 items of clothing from the Contemporary Wardrobe Collection whilst extemporizing on the bespoke and brooding deviancy of Spivs, Zazou's, Ted's, Ton-up boys, B-Girls and Jet's. (Both talks will be accompanied by
specifically chosen film extracts and vinyl)
Fashion In Film Festival
Monday 26th May Doors 7:30pm
£5/£4 members & concessions
Zoot Suit Riots
Dir Joseph Tovares - USA 2001 - Documentary - 60 min - DVD.
A documentary about Chicano wearing "Zoot suiters" whose baggy attire was condemned as unpatriotic, and those who wore it as ignorant of the war effort.
Thursday 29th May Doors 7:30pm
£7/£5 members & concessions
Blood and Black Lace (Sei donne per l'assassino)
Dir Mario Bava
Italy/Monaco/France/Germany - 1964 - 88 min With Mary Arden, Cameron Mitchell, Eva Bartok. Dubious secrets involving a group of nerve-wracked fashion models, and a certain red diary. Like the sumptuously baroque fashion salon, all the murder scenes are meticulously staged for a breathtakingly spectacular effect.
Saturday 31st May Doors 6:00pm
£7/£5 members & concessions
So what! Two tales of Juvenile Delinquency guest-curated by Roger K. Burton.
"The Boys" dir Sidney J. Furie - UK 1962 - 123 mins
"The Violent Years" dir William Morgan - USA 1956 - 56mins
Both 'The Violent Years' and 'The Boys' clearly illustrate the social stigma of post war youth, victimised because of the way they looked and their rebellious behaviour. However it was also a time when the public with a conscience began to re-evaluate both the teenagers voice and their dress codes. In both films as in real life, we see that it wasn't just the kids or the parents who were on trail, but society's morals and values as a whole.
All Power to the Imagination! 1968 and Its Legacies
All screenings:
Doors 7:30pm
£7/£5 members & concessions
Saturday April 26th
Flashing on the Sixties: A Tribal Document
Dir Lisa Law
USA - 1990 - 52 mins
Featuring Timothy Leary, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Allen Ginsberg and Taj Mahal among others.
This film is a look at the 60's from the inside, people helping with free kitchens at Woodstock, racing in brightly painted school buses with Wavy Gravy, living on the Commune all set to a soundtrack of the time.
+
Hi Mom!
Dir Brian De Palma
USA - 1970 - 87 mins
De Niro plays variations on a Vietnam vet returning to NY as, variously, a 'peep art' porno movie-maker, an urban guerilla, and an insurance salesman. Shot by De Palma in visceral vérité, Anarchic and very appealing.
Friday May 16th
Manson
Dir Robert Hendrickson & Laurence Merrick
USA - 1972 - 83 mins
Oscar nominated documentary on Charles Manson and his "family". Memorable song soundtrack by former Manson family members Brooks Poston and Paul Watkins: their well-crafted, mournful folk songs are a perfect backdrop for a tale of hippie ideals gone
horribly wrong.
+
The Hippie Revolt
Dir Edgar Beatty
USA - 1967 - 75 mins
A psychedelic celebration aimed at further alarming middle-class Americans about hippies, hooray!
Wednesday May 28th
The Whole World Is Watching: Weatherman '69
Dir Raymon Pettibon
USA - 1989 - 122 mins
Starring Mike Watt, Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Raymond Pettibon, Davo Claassen, Dave Markey, Janet Hausden, Joe Cole, Joey 8 Halsman, Mark Hecht, Rich Costigan, Abby Travis, Hank Vincent, and Master Nelson Tarpenny.
Originally realised as a trashy home video shot by Raymond Pettibon and enacted by a host of friends and musicians. The text written by Pettibon makes up more than 50 pages of dialogues, slogans, song lyrics and monolithic text blocks. The text is inspired by a radical splinter group of the Students for a Democratic Society, Weatherman, who from 1969 to 1975 fought a proxy war for the rights of the nationally and internationally oppressed. Creating a cast of more than 20 half fictitious, half historic characters the text draws an image of the resistance group living in the underground. Sketches of historic events and encounters with pop celebrities like Jane Fonda and John Lennon appear along with a portrait of the daily lunacy of the subcultural existence and the longings of politicised middle-class kids.
As part of a special Fund Raiser for the Horse Hospital Gallery's 15th Anniversary, we have a whole plethora of Original Underground Posters, Vintage Photos & Postcards, Collectable Toys, Antiquities, Objets d'art, Curios, Furniture, Books, Magazines, Stickers, Videos, DVDs, CDs, LPs etc etc on sale for your delight.
+ The legendary Contemporary Wardrobe Collection Sale, and this season its bigger and better than ever! On sale is a Massive selection of men's and women's Vintage & Modern clothing, ranging from the 1940s to 2007, including many unique items used in feature films, pop videos, and TV commercials. There will be bargains galore, so don't miss out!
Clothing includes: Hats, coats, suits, dresses, shirts, blouses, trousers, skirts, jeans, shoes, jewellery, accessories and much, much more!
For further details, ring 020 7713 7370
About The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection
Contemporary Wardrobe was originally set up in 1978, by costume designer & stylist Roger K. Burton as a hire company to supply street fashion to the film & TV industry. Now in its 30th Anniversary year, the collection exceeds 15000 garments and includes definitive items from British and American youth cults as well as classic fashions from seminal boutiques such as Mr Freedom, Biba and Seditionaries, couture houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, and Givenchy. Over the years the collection has been used in many feature films such as Quadrophenia, Sid & Nancy, Absolute Beginners, Hackers and Stoned, and has been worn by literally hundreds of pop icons from David Bowie, Annie Lennox, George Harrison through to PJ Harvey, Richard Ashcroft, and Atomic Kitten.
The classic and cult value of this collection makes it a great source for many of today's eclectic and individualist street styles, as recognised by its use in current Feature Films, Music Videos, Fashion Magazines and Museums worldwide.
To our knowledge we are, the sole, largest and most important collection of street fashion and culture in Europe.
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As part of a Fund Raiser for the Horse Hospital Gallery, we have a whole plethora of Original Underground Posters, Vintage Photos & Postcards, Collectable Toys, Antiquities, Objets d'art, Curios, Furniture, Books, Magazines, Stickers, Videos, DVDs, CDs, LPs etc etc on sale for your delight.
+ The legendary Contemporary Wardrobe Collection Sale, and this season its bigger and better than ever! On sale is a Massive selection of men's and women's Vintage & Modern clothing, ranging from the 1940s to 2006, including many unique items used in feature films, pop videos, and TV commercials. There will be bargains galore, so don't miss out!
Clothing includes: Hats, coats, suits, dresses, shirts, blouses, trousers, skirts, jeans, shoes, jewelry, accessories and much, much more!
For further details, ring 020 7713 7370
The Horse Hospital - Colonnade - Bloomsbury - London WC1N 1HX
Located just 1 minute from Russell Square tube, on the Piccadilly line
About The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection
Contemporary Wardrobe was originally set up in 1978, by costume designer & stylist Roger K. Burton as a hire company to supply street fashion to the film & TV industry. Now some 25 years later, the collection exceeds 15000 garments and includes definitive items from British and American youth cults as well as classic fashions from seminal boutiques such as Mr Freedom, Biba and Seditionaries, couture houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, and Givenchy. Over the years the collection has been used in many feature films such as Quadrophenia, Sid & Nancy, Absolute Beginners and Hackers, and has been worn by literally hundreds of pop icons from David Bowie, Annie Lennox, George Harrison through to PJ Harvey, Richard Ashcroft, and Atomic Kitten.
The classic and cult value of this collection makes it a great source for many of today's eclectic and individualist street styles, as recognised by its use in current Feature Films, Music Videos, Fashion Magazines and Museums worldwide.
To our knowledge we are, the sole, largest and most important collection of street fashion and culture in Europe.
]]>
+ The legendary Contemporary Wardrobe Collection Sale, and this season its bigger and better than ever! On sale is a Massive selection of men's and women's Vintage & Modern clothing, ranging from the 1940s to 2006, including many unique items used in feature films, pop videos, and TV commercials. There will be bargains galore, so don't miss out!
Clothing includes: Hats, coats, suits, dresses, shirts, blouses, trousers, skirts, jeans, shoes, jewelry, accessories and much, much more!
For further details, ring 020 7713 7370
The Horse Hospital - Colonnade - Bloomsbury - London WC1N 1HX
Located just 1 minute from Russell Square tube, on the Piccadilly line
Contemporary Wardrobe was originally set up in 1978, by costume designer & stylist Roger K. Burton as a specialist hire company to supply vintage street fashion, couture items and accessories to the Film, TV and Fashion industries.
Since its inception Contemporary Wardrobe has always been renowned for being at the forefront of cutting edge style. Born out of a passion for youth culture, and recognition of street fashion's importance in our social history, the collection now exceeds fifteen thousand garments, designed between 1945 and the present day, and representing a multitude of diverse youth movements and cult fashions. Including definitive items from British and American youth cults as well as classic pop fashion from seminal boutiques such as Mr Freedom, Biba and Seditionaries, and couture houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Givenchy.
From Pop royalty to Cult icons, from Rock 'n'roll super groups to Soul divas and One hit wonders; at one time or another Contemporary Wardrobe has dressed them all, and as such we are very proud of our heritage, which includes David Bowie, Annie Lennox, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, through to Will Young, PJ Harvey and Kanye West. Consequently the wardrobe archives are bursting with 'as worn by' trophies that now regularly appear in museums around the world.
At the pop promo height during the early to mid eighties, stylists, designers and artists were pouring through the door on a daily basis; in search of undiscovered treasures and hungry for new ideas to feed the infant MTV beast. This fresh interest in pop cultures historic iconography was born out of kids' frustration with stifling mainstream fashion, and owes much to the liberating punk movement. It also coincided with a crop of new style magazines that were making an appearance at the time, and was further fuelled by the likes of iD, the Face, and Blitz who were regularly featuring the latest bands and musicians, wearing our clothes. It felt as if everyone on the scene was plundering the past for inspiration, and having such a vast collection and specialist knowledge, Contemporary Wardrobe was the obvious choice. As one well-known 80s record producer once commented, 'if there was nothing happening on the streets, you could be sure to find inspiration at Contemporary Wardrobe'.
The same is true today, judging by the growing amount of famous fashion designers (i.e. the new rock'n'roll elite) who visit us on a regular basis in order to unearth long gone looks and rework them for today's style conscious market.
Over the past 28 years, the range and diversity of the collection's use has been quite staggering, what one stylist would cast aside as outdated junk, another will turn it into an exotic creation and begin a whole new fashion trend.
During this time, not only have Contemporary Wardrobe been the keepers of culture, but instigators of many a new trend, through a programme of recycling and constant reinvention of the past.
The classic and cult value of the collection makes it a great source for many of today's eclectic and individualist street styles, as recognised by its use in Feature Films, Music Video's, Commercials, Fashion Magazines such as The Face, Nova, Dazed & Confused, Nova, Vogue etc. The collection has also appeared in exhibitions at The Brooklyn Museum of Modern Art, Victoria & Albert Museum, The Barbican and Shiseido Gallery Tokyo
The gallery contains over five hundred images of our collection featured in film, fashion, pop promos, editorial and advertising projects.
To visit the gallery click
contemporarywardrobe.com/gallery
From pop royalty to cult icons, from rock 'n'roll super groups to soul divas and one-hit wonders; at one time or another Contemporary Wardrobe has dressed them all, and as such we are very proud of our heritage.
The Collection's real importance is reflected by the amount of bands - over 400 to date - that have either worn items or entire outfits from this amazing selection, in their promotional videos, stills, on stage and album covers.
Consequently the Wardrobe archives are bursting with 'as worn by' trophies that now regularly appear in museums around the world. Click here to visit our Promos & Pop Videos gallery:
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The following pages contain a selection of Editorial stills 1999 -2006, utilizing The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection. Prestigious clients include: i-D, L'UOMO Vogue, The Guardian, Observer and GQ.
Click to visit the Editorial Gallery
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The following pages contain still images from a selection of advertisments from 1999 to the present day. The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection. Clients include: Toni & Guy, Wella, L'Oreal.
Click here to see a selection.
]]>2005 STONED Stephen Woolley
2003 BLIND HORIZON Michael Haussman
1997 VIGO Julien Temple
1994 HACKERS Iain Softley
1987 THE YOB Ian Emes
1985 ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS Julien Temple
1978 QUADROPHENIA Frank Roddam
SHORT FILMS - selected
2001 WASH 'N' GO Vito Rocco
1997 THE MAN WHO COULDN'T OPEN DOORS Paul Arden
1996 THE CURL Brian Griffin
COMMERCIALS - selected from over 150
2006 JOHNNIE WALKER Michael Geoghegan
2005 FORD Jeff Stark
2004 ELIZABETH ARDEN Michael Haussman
2003 ACURA Michael Haussman
2002 SMIRNOFF Ivan Bird
2001 McDONALDS Malcom Venville
2001 VIRGIN AIRWAYS Jeff Stark
POP PROMOS - selected from over 150
2006 UPPER ROOM Rupert Jones
2004 KANYE WEST Michael Haussman
2003 STARSAILOR Rupert Jones
2000 ALABAMA 3 Jerome Redfarn
1999 MOGWAI Brian Griffin
1999 WYCLEF & BONO Kevin Godley
1999 DRU HILL Nick Quested
1998 DEPECHE MODE Brian Griffin
CURATORIAL PROJECTS - selected from over 40
2001 SAVAGE PENCIL Chamber of Pop Culture London
1998 JOE COLEMAN Chamber of Pop Culture London
1997 MOD Shesido Gallery Tokyo
1995 PUNKATURE Shesido Gallery Tokyo
1993 VIVE LE PUNK Chamber of Pop Culture London
SHOPS - selected
1983 NOSTALGIA OF MUD McLaren Westwood London Shop Designer
1981 WORLDS END McLaren Westwood London Shop Designer
1978 PX London Shop Designer
FASHION BOOKS & MAGAZINES - selected
2006 THE LOOK London Contributor
2003 L'UOMO VOGUE Italy Fashion Editor
2002 PUNK ANTHOLOGY London Contributor
TRADE HIRE TERMS
All garments and accessories are hired by the week, athough this can be extended through to an entire production run, subject to client requirements.
Each garment and accessory is priced individually depending on its rarity and value.
Prices range from as little as £1.50 e.g. a simple tie clip, up too £100.00 for a rare designer dress, depending on the item.
EDITORIAL RATES upon request.
Clients generally find it more cost effective to hire a complete outfit - the average price being £75.00 + VAT for one week, eg:
Men's Outfit - Suit, shirt, tie & shoes
Women's Outfit - Dress or suit, blouse, shoes, jewellery
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
An official company order on headed paper, signed by the client, is required when hiring from us.
This should state that the hiring company accepts full responsibility for either, late return, and any loss or damage to all items hired. Payment must be made in full before any item leaves the premises,
Some form of ID will also be required by the ordering Stylist or Designer.
VISA, MASTERCARD, CHEQUE or CASH are accepted forms of payment.
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PRIVATE HIRE TERMS
All garments and accessories are hired for a minimum of 3 days
Each Garment and accessory is priced individually, depending on its rarity and value.
Prices range from as little as £1.50 for a basic pair of earrings, to over £100.00 for a rare designer dress, depending on the item.
It can be generally more beneficial for a client to hire a complete outfit - the average price for an outfit is £65.00 + VAT for 3 days e.g.
Men's Outfit - Suit, shirt, tie & shoes
Women's Outfit - Dress or suit, blouse, shoes, jewellery
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
There is a minimum charge of £30.00 + VAT
Payment must be made in full before any item leaves the premises. A full deposit is required with proof of identity for all hires.
VISA, MASTERCARD, CHEQUE or CASH are accepted forms of payment.
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The gallery contains still images from a selection of high profile movies, including the cult classic "Quadrophenia" (1978), and more recent Brian Jones biopic "Stoned" (2005).
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The following pages contain still images from a selection of commercials 1999-2006, styled and designed by Roger K. Burton utilizing The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection. Prestigious clients include: Vodafone, Orange, Nescafe, Boddingtons, Toyota.
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See full resume [PDF]