* 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;
·
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.
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