Mavericks. From Julian Cope to Adam Ant, the Clash to Leigh Bowery – photographer Peter Ashworth created some of the most scene-defining images of the 1980s and 90s. And now the legendary photographer is presenting ‘mavericks’. This first solo exhibition of his work debuted at The Gallery, Liverpool, and after adaptation is now showing at Lever Gallery in Clerkenwell, London. Ashworth captured both the fashion and music worlds. His iconic images adorned the record sleeves of the most famous, the avant garde and the scene-setters. These images, as powerful today as they were decades ago, helped forge a band’s aesthetic and how they wanted to be seen well before the digital era. The Eurythmics, Smiths, Bryan Ferry and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, among many, can thank...
Ops&Ops are going back to our roots this weekend as our dear friend and ace DJ Jonathan Toubin brings his New York Soul Clap and Dance Off to London Town. Brilliant music and non-stop dancing – it's what Ops&Ops were made for. Jonathan's Soul Clap and Dance Off events are legendary in New York, where he spins night-long sessions of r'n'b and soul 45s – many of them rare and forgotten – from the 1950s and 1960s. A big part of the bash is the dance contest. Any one can take part and pony like boney maroney, do the mash potato, alligator or any steps they choose for the judges. Expect the unexpected, too. You never know who you'll bump into. Ops&Ops joined in last time we were in NYC, and Teri danced her...
Go-Go boots. They're up there with Dorothy’s red slippers, Roger Vivier’s Pilgrim pumps and Audrey Hepburn’s Penny Loafers in footwear folklore. Not just an icon of the 1960s, go-go boots are among the most iconic shoe and boot trends of the 20th century. André Courrèges was the magician who introduced the go-go boot. A white mid-calf boot with a flat black heel, they anchored his space-age look first sent down the catwalk in 1964. The boots were made from leather, matte and patent, vinyl or PVC. Styles had either a cut-out around the top or pleated detail. An instant hit, they defined both the youthquake movement of the time, and the sophisticated look of French stars such as Catherine Deneuve. Where did the name come from? Theories abound....
Sale Time! We're back at Shoreditch with Ops&Ops second pop-up shop this year. And as as hit our final weekend, we're offering 10% off until closing time – 5pm, Sunday 6 November. Find our signature No10 all-leather flats, including our latest autumn palette — Mustard and Teal patent leather, Mink, Cocoa and Indigo suede. And, currently exclusive to the shop, our brand-new No12 ankle boots in super soft, grainy Matte Black and shimmery Moon Dust leathers; and No11 block heel in Black patent and Mink suede. We have sample and sale shoes starting at just £60 a pair, and the chance to enter a count-the-shoehorn compettion to win a pair of No10s. We'd love for you to join us! Ops&Ops Pop-Up 11 Calvert Avenue London E2 7JP 11am-6pm – Sunday 6 November to 5pm...
Excited? On hearing news of the V&A's latest blockbuster show You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966 - 1970, we were ecstatic! It's a subject right up our street and we were thrilled to be invited along to the opening. Laid out in six sections, with an accompanying soundtrack, it explores the political and cultural revolution of the time mostly spearheaded by youth – in 1966, half the US population was under 25, and in Britain baby boomer teenagers were in their millions. It begins with a scene-setting collection of press cuttings, mags and pics showing how the foundations for change were laid before moving to the first room: a recreation of Carnaby Street, reflecting 'Swinging London' as a centre of fashion, music and art. Next up is a focus on the growing counter culture of the...
A big part of the Ops&Ops story is our love of music and dancing, so we've decided to start our very own record fair with a YouTube compilation playlist. Called simply Ops&Ops Favourites it features some of our all-time top songs, performers and performances. We'll be adding to our record fair regularly and would love to hear from you along with your suggestions. You'll find songs that make us smile, make us cry, make us shout, makes us sing along and of course make us dance. We hope they do the same for you.
