MOD Presentation

* Mod - late 1950s to early-to-mid 1960s.

• Fashion.
• Music.
• Motor scooter.
• Amphetamine.
• Mod revival in late 1970s.
• Politics.
• James Dean.
• Mass consumption.
• Supermarkets.
• Holidays.

 

·       Common misconception they wore parkas with loads of badges.

·       Originals followed the less is more aesthetic, smart suits, mohair clothes, thin ties, button down collar shirts, wool and cashmere jumpers, pointed winklepicker shoes, Chelsea boots, bowling shoes.

·       Some Mods went against gender norms of the era by enhancing their appearance with eye shadow, eye pencil or even lipstick. – Very image conscious people.

·       The song ‘Dedicated follower of fashion’ by The Kinks pokes fun at the Mod’s obsession with fashion.

·       Only wore parkas to protect nice clothes on their scooters.

·       Most important fashion accessory, scooter.

·       Cheap, accessible transport (got them on payment plans, cheaper than cars), public transport stopped early so they needed a way to get home after clubs and dances at night.

·       Scooters were chosen over motorbikes because scooters' use of bodypanelling and concealed moving parts made them cleaner and less likely to stain an expensive suit with grease.

·       An image which represents Mods in the media, turned negative after events like events like the November 6, 1966, "scooter charge" on Buckingham Palace and the 1964 beach riots. Mods riding scooters together were intimidating and were seen as a "menacing symbol of group solidarity".

·       Normally Vespa or Lambretta

·       Preferred Italian ones due to their clean lines, curving shapes and gleaming chrome.

·       They were described as the "embodiment of continental style and a way to escape the working-class row houses of their upbringing".

·       Loved all things European.

·       MODs came from the Teddy boys of the early 50’s, were very much ‘Englanders’, Mods thought of themselves as Modern and this meant embracing everything from black American Rhythm and Blues to Italian cuisine.

·       Lots of their look was based on European style. The suits they wore originated from slick Italian designed;

·       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DetjCfwnWw

·       Hair was in the style of actors from nouvelle vague cinema.

·       Very controlled style, slicked back, cut quite short.

·       Nouvelle Vague, French cinema movement in the 50’s and 60’s, seen as cinema for the youth. Ties in with the fact Mods were a youth culture, new concept in those days, Teddy boys’ first one, only 10years earlier.

·       Girls of the movement.

·       Some women also had disposable income there was a raise in women’s clothing boutique jobs.

·       Dressed up to go to work, so felt the need to look cool, glamorous.

·       Highlights the commercial mind set of Mod’s, people had disposable income after war so they could afford to buy more clothes etc.

·       Had the same smart clean aesthetic as the men. This meant they could wear these clothes to work, home, school. More than other subcultures.

·       Key things worn by women were: Androgynous short haircuts, men’s trousers or shirts (sometimes their boyfriends), flat shoes and minimal natural looking make up.

·       I was like this until Mod fashion became more mainstream, and the look, whilst still being minimal, became a little more glam.

·       Women icons were: Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton

·       The slender model figure came into fashion.

·       Jean Shrimpton, subject of photographer David Bailey’s famous New York vogue shoot, style/times changing to youth culture. – A good bbc program on it.

·       Twiggy’s classic make up look, with painted on eyelashes became popular, can also see slicked back short hair (like men’s).

·       Made miniskirts popular. Mary Quant.

·       Straight boxy shift dresses and skirts.

·       Young Mod women pushed parental tolerance, new things, nothing worn that short before, inappropriate.

·       Shops of the time:

·       Carnaby Street:

You can still see Mod logos now in the windows, union jacks and RAF roundel symbols.

·       Mod revival of the 1970’s and 1980’s – created stereotype we know today.

·       Where the parka Mod comes from: Parkas, Harrington jackets, and polo neck shirts (Fred Perry)

·       Lots more casual, less slick and smart.

·       Had stickers on scooters and when law was passed saying they must have at least one mirror on scooters, lots of mirrors covering them, so don’t follow the less is more style.

MOD Presentation

Music, Clubs and Drugs.

·      Early MODs are known for listening to African American Soul, Jamaican Ska, British R&B and Blue Beat.

·      British R&B was performed by bands like the Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Animals.

·      The music was called blue beat because thats what the record label that produced most of it was called.

·      The influx of carribbean immigrants at the time had a big impact on what music they listened to. Its said that the relationship between the two groups and their music interest helped to break down race barriers and reduce tension within London.

Play examples of Music.

Early MOD Music. - More mellow

MOD revival music. - More rocky, to match the time.

MOD Style music now. - More mainstream.

·      Original MODS on London frequented clubs like The Roaring 20s and The Flamingo.

·      The Flamingo in soho, 33-37 Wardour Street, played british r&b and jazz. The fans of that music would meet together no matter when skin colour.

·     With its increasing popularity there were many performers who graced the stage at Flamingo, including Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

·      In the 60s the club was well known for its all nighters where the club opened until 6am on fridays and Saturdays.

·      The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix were all regulars.

·      The club closed in the late 60s.

·      Apart from clubbing, socially a lot of MODs spent there time listening to music with friends, learning new dance moves, riding around on their scooters and shopping for the latest clothes.

·      Drugs were also big part of their recreation with Amphetamines (speed) being their drug of choice. Pre-1964 the drug was actually legal. They took it on nights out to make them more alert and to help them appreciate the music they were listening to more.

Mods and Rockers did not get on. Rockers thought Mods were effeminate, stuck-up or snobbish. It was a common jibe that they "couldn't tell the birds from the blokes". Mods thought Rockers were old-fashioned, dirty, greasy and uncouth. However, there was not an all out war between the two tribes.

Mods and Rockers rarely met, except for Bank Holiday weekends in Margate, Brighton, Hastings and Southend and football games from 1964 onwards. Their violent clashes were constantly and sensationally reported in newspapers such as the Daily Mail.

The first such incident was at Clacton on the Easter Bank Holiday in 1964. It was reputedly one of the worst Easter Bank Holidays on record: cold and wet. The Easter Sunday was the coldest for 80 years. Groups of youths arrived at Clacton for the Bank Holiday break. They were bored and frustrated and rumours were circulating that a local café was refusing to serve them. Violence broke out between different groups, which was reported sensationally in the national press.

The scale of the disturbance and the violence was exaggerated. However, from now on the 'Mods and Rockers' phenomenon was born. The question in the press and for local magistrates was, 'which town would be next?'

In 1964 Mods and Rockers clashed at Margate, Hastings, Bournemouth and Brighton at Whitsun and August Bank Holidays. Once again the actual events were grossly exaggerated in the media.

MODS today

·      The Gallegher brothers

·      Paul Weller

·      Bradley Wiggins.

·      Lots of clothing that was worn during the MOD period has been recycled into todays fashions. A lot of people still wear Fred Perry, Khaki Parkas are still in fashion too. Tassled loafers are also quite popular at the moment. 

·      Although there arent that many true MODS left, there are a lot of older men, 40s that have adopted this style.