JACKIE
YOUR LONG-READ PAPER TO BRIGHTEN WINTER DAYS!
Marijke Koger and the late Simon Posthuma (1939 - 2020), founding members of The Fool Design Collective. Cover photograph by Frank Bez. Jackie Magazine, February 1970.
John Lennon, Jackie Magazine poster, February 1970.
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TOGS BOUTIQUE
LEEDS
When Elaine Bateson isn't serving in her brother-in-law's discotheque, she's serving other types of goodies in her sister's boutique. Elaine, a fair, slim, 23-year-old, has been helping Pauline run Leeds boutique, Togs, since it opened almost a year ago. Pauline and Elaine's fashion know-how stems from modelling experience. Pauline did a modelling course when she was 18 and Elaine models Togs togs in their newspaper ads. And she, herself, is one of the best ads a boutique could have! Pauline and her hubby, Leonard Cohen (no, not THE Leonard Cohen!) had their first Togs in Great George St., Leeds. This was a bit far from the raving scene, so, when the opportunity arose to take over an old bakery shop in Briggate, they jumped at the chance, and landed smack bang in the middle of Leeds main shopping centre. Once they painted up the shop in striking red and black, they were off to London to grab the pick of the clothes.They certainly stock the best of the bunch, and Pauline and Elaine, being two very understanding people, try to keep prices down. Dresses range from as little as 79s 11d for a fine jersey-knit or cire shift, to £6 16s for something really special, in soft black velvet by Miss Impact, it's softly ruched on the top half of the sleeves and at the waist above a gathered skirt. Elaine loves loves working in Togs but her friends love her working there even more. It means they can choose gear in the comfort of their own homes. Every so often Elaine and her friends congregate in one house and they have a right old ''henny'' party, choosing and trying out all the latest clobber, hot from London. Kweens, Gay Girl, Jamie, Shar-Cleod, Slimma, and Gerry Finn are among the famous makes stocked at Togs. Also, local girl Wendy Smythe designs some fantastic blouses and skirts, made up in specially imported Swiss cotton. One, a cerise polo shirt with raised full sleeves, tied at wrists, looked fantastic teamed with Gay Girl flared pants in Courtelle. These are only 79s 11d. and give a super slim leggy look. Special feature is a row of matching buttons on the outside ankle. Sling a few chains round your middle ― 21 bob from Corocraft ― and off you jolly well go! Elaine and Pauline are full of bright fashion ideas. ''If someone buys a plainish dress,'' says Elaine, ''we suggest she tries trousers with it, or wears a few chain belts around her neck for a bit of difference. ''But we don't put on the sales pressure. There's nothing worse!''
Elaine's favourite from the boutique was a Kweens navy jersey dress, with a Polo neck and long sleeves, it has two thigh pockets, piped with red, and cost £5 19s 11d. To complete the ensemble, as they say, a pair of pillarbox red tights from Ballito would really knock 'em out! For work, Elaine likes to wear casual separates. A Gay Girls herringbone skirt with a little button-down pocket and a putty coloured Shar-Cleod ribbed sweater was her rigout of the day. For a touch of zing she had added a bright neckerchief and hot-red, knee-length boots. Togs feature lots of super Shar-Cleod knits. A tiny twinset two-some, in red with contrasting. Shetland pattern, was only 44s for the sweater, and 39s 11d for the waistcoat. Self-coloured, cable waistcoats are the same price and long-sleeved, pocketed cardies are 45s 11d. Skirts have the average price of 39s 11d in various shades of Courtelle, plaid and tweedie one with three button. All by Gay Girl. Another Wendy Smythe top I noticed was in fine creamy cotton with a pin-tucked, lace-edged jabot, lace-edged high neck, and long raised sleeves. Typically Victorian—imagine it with a wine velvet maxi! From Victorian elegance to present day disco swinging – this Miss Impact tricel smasher with the swirly pleated skirt has a sexy low-cut back, and costs only £517s 6d. It's also available in gold. A super array of of Corocraft jewellery is on display at Togs, with rings from 9s 6d for chunky ones. Colorful elasticated beady bracelets are only 7s 6d. and delicate silver bands cost 25 bob.
BREAK THE RULES IN REGULATION GEAR!
STOCKISTS
Stockists of Gillian Richard dungarees include Marshall and Snelgrove–Just In and all branches; Guys and Dolls, London and Manchester; Goodhams, Chiswick; Stop the Shop, King's Road.◼︎Dorothy Perkins sweater from all branches or by mail order from Dorothy Perkins M.O. Dept., Wokingham Road, Bracknell, Berks., adding 3s p&p.◼︎Dollyrocker outfit from: Miss Selfridge and branches.◼︎Shelana pinafore dress from Dickens and Jones; Kemps of Croydon; Calverts of Widnes; Miss Janet of Liverpool. ◼︎ John Craig shirt and trousers from Stop the Shop, Kings Road; Neatawear and branches; Barker's, Kensington.
IMAGE CREDITS & LINKS
All images scanned by Sweet Jane from an original issue of Jackie Magazine, Issue No. 318, February 7th, 1970. Cover photo by Frank Bez. John Lennon poster photography uncredited. Fashion illustrations uncredited. View some of previous posts about The Fool Design Collective, Jackie Magazine, The Beatles, and Boutique fashion: Lift Up Your Skirt And Fly Boutique Sheffield|Jackie Magazine (1969); Show Yourself In Your True Colours|Jackie Magazine (1971); Jess Down English Boy Ltd Model & Artist|Jackie Magazine (1969); Baby Doll Make-Up Woolworth's|Jackie Magazine (1969); Apple, the Beatles' London boutique is the beginning of a whole new Beatle empire|Rave Magazine (1968); The Hippie Hautes Couturières! Felicity Green on the Flower Power Fashion Scene (1967); The Fool's Paradise|Apple Boutique (1967); The Boutiques Business (1970); The Birdcage Boutique Nottingham (1965). And finally, visit The Fans of Jackie Magazine Facebook Group, and view interviews with the late Simon Posthuma, Pattie Boyd, Tony Bramwell, Edina Ronay and more about Apple Boutique, filmed for BBC Newsnight in 2008.