Author: modculture

Categories / Books, Music, Retro Men's Fashion

Book reviews: King of Carnaby Street by Jeremy Reed and The Big Beat Scene by Royston Ellis

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Books

If you are lookng for something interesting and with a retro twist to get your teeth into, we have two candidates newly-reviewed on our Modculture site – King of Carnaby Street by Jeremy Reed and The Big Beat Scene by Royston Ellis.

The first of those is a biography on that king of Carnaby Street, John Stephen. It's the story of his arrival in London, how we learned the basics of clothes making and retailing and of course, how he went on to dominate both Carnaby Street and men's fashion in the 1960s and early 1970s.

The Big Beat Scene by Royston Ellis is a reissue from 1961, described as 'an outspoken expose of the teenage world of rock 'n' roll' by 'the king of the beatniks', 19-year-old Ellis. You can read reviews of both books in the Modculture books section right now.

King of Carnaby Street by Jeremy Reed review

The Big Beat Scene by Royston Ellis review

Categories / Design and Interiors

Jonathan Adler Relief Drip ceramic lamp

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Adler_lamp

The Isamu Noguchi lamps of the 1950s have certainly been an inspiration for many modern-day pieces, even from the likes of Ikea. So it's no surprise to see the look turning up again – with a twist – in the Jonathan Adler Relief Drip ceramic lamp.

The profile is very much the same – that usual bulbous shade and tripod-style base, this time in polished nickel. But this is no paper shade, the one here is an unglazed translucent porcelain with perforations, a 150-watt bulb making sure the lamp emits a strong glow from within.

Available directly from the Jonathan Adler site, price is $295.

Find out more at the Jonathan Adler website

Categories / eBay watch

1970s Philips Playby 22GF403 briefcase record player

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Phil1

We have featured vintage portable record players by Philips in the past, but we haven't seen the Philips Playby 22GF403 briefcase record player on eBay before.

Made in the 70s (as you might have guessed), this is a portable player that's able to play vinyl at33, 45 or 78, powered on either battery or mains. The speaker is built in and when it's packed away, it looks like a briefcase – albeit one in red plastic.

Described as being in 'very good condition', the current bid is just £3.20. See an image of it packed away over the page.

Find out more at the eBay website

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Categories / Retro Men's Fashion, Retro Women's Fashion, Sportswear

Adidas Superstar coin purse

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Coinpurse

Good things do sometimes come in small packages – like this Adidas Superstar coin purse.

It is what it says, a small purse, sized at 12 x 7.4cm, with a connector to hook it to your bag or person, an illustration of an Adidas Supstar trainer on the front and some Adidas branding to finish things off.

Available from the Adidas online store, it sells for just £6.

Find out more at the Adidas Store website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Smartphone gets a vintage twist with the iPhone Cassette Skin and Stand

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Iphone_cassette

Is your iPhone just a little too modern-looking for your tastes? You need the iPhone Cassette Skin and Stand.

Yes, send it kicking and screaming back to the 80s with a rubbery sleeve that turns it into a cassette (well, kind of), while a cassette case-like structure works as a stand for your smartphone.

Ok, it's not really fooling anyone, but it's the kind of novelty that will get your iPhone noticed in a sea of similar devices. Available to pre-order now, it sells for £12.99.

Find out more at the IWOOT website

Categories / Design and Interiors

John Lewis 60s-style Cadenza leather armchair and sofa

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Cadenza2

Another retro-styled gem off the high street, this John Lewis Cadenza leather armchair and sofa.

A 60s-inspired design, with more than a bit of Florence Knoll about it, both the armchair and sofa are upholstered in high-quality, heavyweight black hide with what's described as a 'beautiful grain'. There's also that panelled seam detailing on the back cushions and inner/outer arms and polished metal 'sled legs'.

You can see a snap of the sofa over the page, with the price of that at £1,999, while the armchair goes for £1,200.

Find out more at the John Lewis website

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