A definite change in the fashions on King’s Road – August 1970.
A fine ‘tache, sir!
32 Comments
What great photos.Very few have appeared from those heady times [69 to 78].I worked there from 69 untill 81 managing stores like The Squire Shop,The Village Gate,Cassidy and Thackerays .A road that was the centre of influence for all types of people from all over the UK for fashion and music .Really needs a good book writen for this time regards jimmy
Austin’s clothesville the Squire shop J S Covent gdn. So cool . Sounds ambience etc innovative plus. I’ve just watched the long awaited J S the modernist much as I enjoyed it I felt it didn’t recapture the magic of the time but how could it? John Simonds modest visionary still .
Hi . My name is Nick Hart .I worked for Village Gate in Kings Rd. early 1970s .Jim Newark who ran Oxford St Branch got me a Saturday Job at 18 yrs working with the Tailors ( Angelo etc. ) in basement of Cassidy 1 kings Road Chelsea. Always remember that cans of Fosters Beer was negotiating Currency for a fast alteration.
Great time and vibes .
I Went full time with the firm working with Ian and Ash above Antiquarious in Kings Rd. in the accounts dept. Jeff K had his office there with his pal Richard Young and the great Philip Start. . The first person I knew who breezed down the Kings Rd in his White ? Porsche 911 .
I had my 21st birthday party at Ashe’s house in Ladywell SE London.
Then I went onto working with Len and his gang in the original Chelsea Warehouse and became part of the Van driving delivery team. Going to each shop on the round.
K1 . The Iranian guy in Cassidy 2 became a great friend . Remember George Best ( footballer)had a flat above “Chelsea Washing “ Laundrette and Pizza shop next door and also Angelo Castangio ( Top tailor) is still a lifelong friend whom I still see regularly and he still has an alteration business in the Kings Road . I took the job driving for Len in the warehouse because as a perk you got to take the “ New Brown Gown Van “ home with you so free transport !!! I used the van at weekends for a mobile disco 🕺.
Remember Chris in Croydon Branch well as they were my last drop off before home in Sourh East London.
Happy memories .
If you are still about Mr Jim Newark I would love to thank you so much as you rescued me from a boring city office job and introduced me to the real world of high fashion .
Remember Jeff K and his Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible and matching VW Beetle Convertible. .
Great times indeed. High Fashion .
Loads more memories of the times and I’m still up in Chelsea every week.
Hey thanks for your impressions of the King’s Road sw3 in those magical times.
Sorry this took so long to reply but I lost all my files etc .But time and money
Is leading me somewhere
Hi guys, I remember Jeff for taking me for a drive in his Porsche showing me all his shops in the West End. This was my interview when I answered his advert in the Evening Standard for a sales assistant. He was so taken by me that he offered me the job straight away and said in 6 months time you will be on the board of directors. He would often pop into the Village Gate branch (near the Tottenham Court end) to see me and take out for coffee. He was so keen on my opinions of his stores and what could we do together to better business. This did not sit well with some of the staff and certainly not the manager! I felt I was left with no option but to resign as I was considered the ‘blue eyed boy’. His exact words to me when I told him of my decision was why? You have jumped all the hurdles and are ready for the next step. I gave him my real reason as missing the travel industry which was my real passion. I eventually started my own travel agency/tour operation which I ran successfully for 25 years. He would have been proud of me – as my father would too to know that I was instrumental in starting the first charter flight from Gatwick to Goa in 1983 especially as he had a passion for India.
Loved working for K and S. I think I left and went back about 6 times. I started in ox street and did some time in Kens High Street but kings road was my favourite. We must have known each other. I knew Richard young and also the chap who started Mulberry – can’t remember his name 😆
Carol
I worked at the Squire shop and the Village Gate shop in the early to mid 70s. Phillip Start was the manager at the Squire shop, and a guy called Richard Young worked there at the time, he became a very good photographer to celebs
I was the manager of the Squire Shop
Philip Start trained me.
Then Village Gate Oxford St.
remember Neville and Agi the tailors upstairs.
Peter Collins xxxx
I don’t remember their names but I think the older one was I think a Jewish guy & the younger one was black or halfcast but both very friendly & helpful
Hi Peter, I remember you. I worked with at The Squire Shop, Croydon. We won the inter shop football tournament in Hyde Park I think. Great days and so many memories. I remember the clogs and your curly hair.
Les. Samuel.
I worked on Saturdays & in my student holidays mainly in the Village Gate underneath Jeff’s offices. Peter Kirby? was the manger at that time before he replaced Philip at the Squire shop. Peter Dilloway, Eddie Litton,Micky Moore were also there & Kojo across the road in the small Cassidy.
Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse next to the shop.
Great memories & fabulous clothes with great staff discounts!
I was the best dressed student!
I remember Neville and Agi upstairs at the squire shop when I worked there. They made a lot of costumes for the nothing hill carnival in those days – mid 70’s. I saw Agi on telly once. Neville had passed and she was moving back to the Caribbean and was selling a pot. Think it must have been Flog It. Loved those days working for Squire Shop etc. Carol
Hi all,I thought after reading all your wonderful memories i would contribute.. I managed several shops in the Kwintner/simons empire..loved every moment.. finished as Gm., then unfortunately the big recession hit retail…Then opened QUINCY. with Stewart who also owned Jones in the Kings road.. made some great friends in those times.. sadly lost contact over the years… Also before Richard Young became the best celeb photographer He took all my wedding Photos outside the old registry office… wonderful times..big thanks for the memories.and pics… ken creed..💕.
Ken great to see you on this feed.
Jeff Kwintner certainly was the John Peel of fashion. So many retailers have touched the magic of Kwintner and Simons.
To all those from the VG Empire I would love to hear from all and we should get a book published. My mate Eric Musgrave could coordinate the publication.
Ken I would love to catch up with you
Best wishes,
I worked on Saturdays & in my student holidays mainly in the Village Gate underneath Jeff’s offices. Peter Kirby? was the manger at that time before he replaced Philip at the Squire shop. Peter Dilloway, Eddie Litton,Micky Moore were also there & Kojo across the road in the small Cassidy.
Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse next to the shop.
Great memories & fabulous clothes with great staff discounts!
I was the best dressed student!
I worked as a Saturday boy & during student holidays for several years mostly in the Village Gate under Jeff’s office in the early 70’s.
Peter Kirby? was manager,Peter Dilloway & Eddie Litten also worked there & later Micky Moore. Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse.
Great clothes,I was the best dressed student in London
I worked with Robert Reid(past away) and SteveMillings doing the windows in the early 70s great times Jeff went off the rails John Simon’s and Jeff split but JS is still going I went onto to woodhouse and started freelancing worked for Turnbull & Asser, Joesph & jap, live in Melbourne now ran into Robert Burton who use to buy all the ties above Squire shop had great taste
John Bishop
I worked in the Village Gate and Squires shop in the Kings Road as a Saturday boy around about 1972. My friend Mickey Hatt also got a Saturday job at the same time in Cassidy’s at the bottom of the street. I remember my duties included running between the shops to transfer trousers and jackets for customers in a particular shop. Good job I was young and fit in those days. I also remember the tailors doing the alterations in the basement of Cassidy’s and being sworn at in Italian in think each time you arrived with another job. Really good clothes. I only wish something of a similar quality was available today. I also recall a really overtly camp security/ store detective who use to wear a fur coat. Loved the music played in the shop all day, early Roxy music and The Flying Burritso brothers which was one of the senior salesman’s obsession.
What great photos.Very few have appeared from those heady times [69 to 78].I worked there from 69 untill 81 managing stores like The Squire Shop,The Village Gate,Cassidy and Thackerays .A road that was the centre of influence for all types of people from all over the UK for fashion and music .Really needs a good book writen for this time
regards
jimmy
Austin’s clothesville the Squire shop J S Covent gdn. So cool . Sounds ambience etc innovative plus. I’ve just watched the long awaited J S the modernist much as I enjoyed it I felt it didn’t recapture the magic of the time but how could it? John Simonds modest visionary still .
Hi . My name is Nick Hart .I worked for Village Gate in Kings Rd. early 1970s .Jim Newark who ran Oxford St Branch got me a Saturday Job at 18 yrs working with the Tailors ( Angelo etc. ) in basement of Cassidy 1 kings Road Chelsea. Always remember that cans of Fosters Beer was negotiating Currency for a fast alteration.
Great time and vibes .
I Went full time with the firm working with Ian and Ash above Antiquarious in Kings Rd. in the accounts dept. Jeff K had his office there with his pal Richard Young and the great Philip Start. . The first person I knew who breezed down the Kings Rd in his White ? Porsche 911 .
I had my 21st birthday party at Ashe’s house in Ladywell SE London.
Then I went onto working with Len and his gang in the original Chelsea Warehouse and became part of the Van driving delivery team. Going to each shop on the round.
K1 . The Iranian guy in Cassidy 2 became a great friend . Remember George Best ( footballer)had a flat above “Chelsea Washing “ Laundrette and Pizza shop next door and also Angelo Castangio ( Top tailor) is still a lifelong friend whom I still see regularly and he still has an alteration business in the Kings Road . I took the job driving for Len in the warehouse because as a perk you got to take the “ New Brown Gown Van “ home with you so free transport !!! I used the van at weekends for a mobile disco 🕺.
Remember Chris in Croydon Branch well as they were my last drop off before home in Sourh East London.
Happy memories .
If you are still about Mr Jim Newark I would love to thank you so much as you rescued me from a boring city office job and introduced me to the real world of high fashion .
Remember Jeff K and his Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible and matching VW Beetle Convertible. .
Great times indeed. High Fashion .
Loads more memories of the times and I’m still up in Chelsea every week.
Hey thanks for your impressions of the King’s Road sw3 in those magical times.
Sorry this took so long to reply but I lost all my files etc .But time and money
Is leading me somewhere
Such memories I agree. Keith Dawkins.
Hi guys, I remember Jeff for taking me for a drive in his Porsche showing me all his shops in the West End. This was my interview when I answered his advert in the Evening Standard for a sales assistant. He was so taken by me that he offered me the job straight away and said in 6 months time you will be on the board of directors. He would often pop into the Village Gate branch (near the Tottenham Court end) to see me and take out for coffee. He was so keen on my opinions of his stores and what could we do together to better business. This did not sit well with some of the staff and certainly not the manager! I felt I was left with no option but to resign as I was considered the ‘blue eyed boy’. His exact words to me when I told him of my decision was why? You have jumped all the hurdles and are ready for the next step. I gave him my real reason as missing the travel industry which was my real passion. I eventually started my own travel agency/tour operation which I ran successfully for 25 years. He would have been proud of me – as my father would too to know that I was instrumental in starting the first charter flight from Gatwick to Goa in 1983 especially as he had a passion for India.
Loved working for K and S. I think I left and went back about 6 times. I started in ox street and did some time in Kens High Street but kings road was my favourite. We must have known each other. I knew Richard young and also the chap who started Mulberry – can’t remember his name 😆
Carol
Is that the great Jim Newark?
who used to manager Village Gate Oxford Street ?????
I worked at the squire shop kings Road in 76/77 😆
Wonderful photos
I worked at Quincys in Brewer street 1969 – 71
Anyone remember that shop. Was in Shepherds Market as well
Yes. I bought quite a few things from there.
Hi worked @the village gate in 1978 in Kensington fantastic days and Oxford street 👍👍
Are you the Antonio who had an extremely Camp Friend named Gordon? We all worked at Sidney Smith on the King’s Road,
I worked at the Squire shop and the Village Gate shop in the early to mid 70s. Phillip Start was the manager at the Squire shop, and a guy called Richard Young worked there at the time, he became a very good photographer to celebs
I worked for the group as a cashier. Worked in all the stores at some point or another. Loved it. I remember Richard Young
I remember them. Are you the bearded Max who worked with me at The Squire Shop kings Road in 76/77?
Carol
I was the manager of the Squire Shop
Philip Start trained me.
Then Village Gate Oxford St.
remember Neville and Agi the tailors upstairs.
Peter Collins xxxx
Hi Peter, I remember you well. Clogs with suits. You were manager at Croydon aswell, great days.
Regards Greg
I don’t remember their names but I think the older one was I think a Jewish guy & the younger one was black or halfcast but both very friendly & helpful
Hi Peter, I remember you. I worked with at The Squire Shop, Croydon. We won the inter shop football tournament in Hyde Park I think. Great days and so many memories. I remember the clogs and your curly hair.
Les. Samuel.
I worked on Saturdays & in my student holidays mainly in the Village Gate underneath Jeff’s offices. Peter Kirby? was the manger at that time before he replaced Philip at the Squire shop. Peter Dilloway, Eddie Litton,Micky Moore were also there & Kojo across the road in the small Cassidy.
Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse next to the shop.
Great memories & fabulous clothes with great staff discounts!
I was the best dressed student!
I remember Neville well!!
I remember Neville and Agi upstairs at the squire shop when I worked there. They made a lot of costumes for the nothing hill carnival in those days – mid 70’s. I saw Agi on telly once. Neville had passed and she was moving back to the Caribbean and was selling a pot. Think it must have been Flog It. Loved those days working for Squire Shop etc. Carol
Hi Antonio did you have a very Camp friend named Gordon? if so I think I knew you at ” Sidney Smith”
Hi all,I thought after reading all your wonderful memories i would contribute.. I managed several shops in the Kwintner/simons empire..loved every moment.. finished as Gm., then unfortunately the big recession hit retail…Then opened QUINCY. with Stewart who also owned Jones in the Kings road.. made some great friends in those times.. sadly lost contact over the years… Also before Richard Young became the best celeb photographer He took all my wedding Photos outside the old registry office… wonderful times..big thanks for the memories.and pics… ken creed..💕.
Ken great to see you on this feed.
Jeff Kwintner certainly was the John Peel of fashion. So many retailers have touched the magic of Kwintner and Simons.
To all those from the VG Empire I would love to hear from all and we should get a book published. My mate Eric Musgrave could coordinate the publication.
Ken I would love to catch up with you
Best wishes,
Saleem Daronville
Am on Instagram and FB ❤️🥂
I have a couple of photos from squire shop kings Road mid 70’s that could be used 🤣
Carol
Ken – I remember you well. I think we worked together in the Kings Road and also possibly SQ OX? 😆
Carol
I worked on Saturdays & in my student holidays mainly in the Village Gate underneath Jeff’s offices. Peter Kirby? was the manger at that time before he replaced Philip at the Squire shop. Peter Dilloway, Eddie Litton,Micky Moore were also there & Kojo across the road in the small Cassidy.
Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse next to the shop.
Great memories & fabulous clothes with great staff discounts!
I was the best dressed student!
I worked as a Saturday boy & during student holidays for several years mostly in the Village Gate under Jeff’s office in the early 70’s.
Peter Kirby? was manager,Peter Dilloway & Eddie Litten also worked there & later Micky Moore. Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse.
Great clothes,I was the best dressed student in London
I worked with Robert Reid(past away) and SteveMillings doing the windows in the early 70s great times Jeff went off the rails John Simon’s and Jeff split but JS is still going I went onto to woodhouse and started freelancing worked for Turnbull & Asser, Joesph & jap, live in Melbourne now ran into Robert Burton who use to buy all the ties above Squire shop had great taste
John Bishop
I worked in the Village Gate and Squires shop in the Kings Road as a Saturday boy around about 1972. My friend Mickey Hatt also got a Saturday job at the same time in Cassidy’s at the bottom of the street. I remember my duties included running between the shops to transfer trousers and jackets for customers in a particular shop. Good job I was young and fit in those days. I also remember the tailors doing the alterations in the basement of Cassidy’s and being sworn at in Italian in think each time you arrived with another job. Really good clothes. I only wish something of a similar quality was available today. I also recall a really overtly camp security/ store detective who use to wear a fur coat. Loved the music played in the shop all day, early Roxy music and The Flying Burritso brothers which was one of the senior salesman’s obsession.