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#1 2006-11-01 00:42:26
- Miles Away
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- From: Miles away
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John Simon's Shop in London
http://j.simons.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/page1.html
Some nice shots of the shop on the website AND a window display picture too.
Good work as ever by Mr. John Gall.
Miles.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#2 2006-11-01 08:01:39
- Miles Away
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
Thanks for the PMs boys.
Yes I can see that there are darts on that tweed suit.
J. Simons sells both darted & undarted items because they know the reality of the Ivy League style since the '50s.
They don't play dress-up Brahmin in Russell Street.
As you were.
Miles.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#3 2006-11-02 07:09:48
- Daniele
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- Posts: 368
Re: John Simon's Shop in London
I have one of those long-ish pea-coats. A bit dressier than the shorter version, IMO.
Well done Mr Simons!
Last edited by Daniele (2006-11-02 07:13:11)
#4 2006-11-02 08:29:01
- Miles Away
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
Very nice coats.
(This is really sloppy even by my standards - I got the ' in the wrong place in the title here. My reputation as a master of the English lingo hangs in the balance...)
M.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#5 2006-11-03 06:26:57
- Horace
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- Posts: 6433
Re: John Simon's Shop in London
The Belmondo is a great looking thing. I love the copy about the gitane and espresso, but especially the "Gallic shrug," a thing which, if you haven't seen it, is impossible to imagine done right. And it can convey so much. It used to irritate me, but after living over there for a while, with my wife & family, we adopted the tick wholeheartedly. You just have to give in to it.
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#6 2006-11-03 06:40:39
- Miles Away
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
I used to smoke the filterless Disc Bleu (sp?) at school... Before that I smoked Rothmans... Later on I smoked Sobranie (sp?)... Even later I smoked Torr (sp?)Oriental...
Too much smoking, not enough attention paid at school.
And yet somehow it doesn't matter still...
Mules.
("Mules"? Now that IS sloppy...)
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#7 2006-11-06 00:42:33
- Terry Lean
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
I like the window display. Very 1950's American college shop style to my eye. And a good mix of casual and formal clothing inside too. In fact the shop is so full of clothing items that it often takes a while for you to register everything. A London landmark and a real one-of-a-kind shopping experience. It will be a sad day when Mr. Simons retires.
"One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing"
#8 2006-11-06 10:06:08
- Tony Ventresca
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
I always wonder how challenging it must be to run a small, specialist retail shop. Simons seems to be serving a pretty small group of target customers, so does he go full American Ivy in his window displays (to bring in the fans & potential fans) or does he water it down a little (to bring in the punters)?
#9 2006-11-06 11:15:02
- Terry Lean
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
I suspect J. Simons turns over most money in 'Americana' - Loafers and various casual jackets including the Baracuta. The more Ivy items are probably picked up more by the purists (natural shoulder tailoring etc).
He keeps it U.S. & Ivy because that's what he does. Quality vintage finds are added to the mix.
Most customers probably just buy the odd item to mix in with their wardrobes. The head to toe Ivy fans must be in the minority in London.
A nice shop.
Last edited by Terry Lean (2006-11-06 11:27:13)
"One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing"
#10 2006-11-22 03:34:23
- Horace
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
I wonder if he has a backlist, so to speak, of American made Weejuns and Sebagos? Few and Far between are they here, I guess. Though I think some may be found at Shoemart among other places. I love the way all these makers end up charging the same for American-made products as off-shore products, having moved to insure "value" for the customer.
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#11 2006-11-22 04:13:53
- Terry Lean
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
John's is the place for new 'old stock' while stocks last.
He stocked up seeing how things might go.
Chris H. did the same.
All the faces wear old stock.
I wear new stock day to day & keep the '85 Weejuns for best now.
Like an old Troy, chances are we'll not see their like again.
Tel.
"One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing"
#12 2006-11-22 04:22:04
- Terry Lean
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
This would be a good one -
The tassels on the tassel Weejun have changed everytime I've bought a pair. With a camera & the right technology to post the pics I could have quite a good thread going...
terry...
"One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing"
#13 2006-11-22 14:34:22
- Horace
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#14 2006-11-22 15:07:18
- Terry Lean
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Re: John Simon's Shop in London
My first Weejuns were Black Pennys and Black Tassels. Then I graduated to the Wine colour (as I think they used to be called) the weekend after, & never wore the black again except when I had to for funerals, etc.
The tassels have got smaller over time and are now very crudely made compared to '85. The latest El Savadore tassels I have even have visible staples through them holding them together.
In '85 the tassels had real substance & looked a little like those roses carved out of radishes that old ladies used to make to liven up salads a long time ago.
"One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing"