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...
Animal Print. It’s on the catwalk, at the shows, in the stores, online – you’ll find Cheetah and Giraffe prints here at Ops&Ops! It’s both classic and modern, ageless and totally now. Always. The fashion for animal prints began in the 1920s with movie stars lending an air of glamour. From collars and trims, post-war its popularity grew. It was the uniform for pin-up girls before Christian Dior, in the 1950s, gave it the haute couture seal of approval. The designer may have cautioned “If you are fair and sweet, don’t wear it,” but he elevated the print, making it chic, elegant and essential. Once the domain of the well-to-do, animal prints became ubiquitous during the 1960s. Givenchy made suits, avant garde Austrian Rudi...
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...
We stopped by Dawn O'Porter's roof-top fashion pop-up on Wednesday evening and had a ball at an event to raise money for Breast Cancer Care at the wonderful Gardening Society. DJ Gemma Cairney got the party started with some great music as guests were treated to ice-cold fizz and delicious nibbles – courtesy of B.O.B's Lobster. But best of all were the racks and rails of BOBbyDOP's classic collections and vintage-tastic clothes to try and buy! Dawn looked fabulous in a navy polka-dot dress and Bumper Car Red Ops&Ops, and she worked tirelessly styling and helping people choose the right outfit – her knack of knowing what will suit and fit perfectly in seconds is uncanny. Lots of Dawn's glamorous friends, including actress Ophelia Lovibond, in Bumper Car Blue No10s, Edith Bowman, Caroline Flack and The Tootsie Rollers turned up...
Red. It comes in many guises – scarlet, cherry, poppy, ruby, crimson, berry. It’s confident, bold, head turning and bright. A standout on its own, it can work as a dashing neutral and a perfect base for any outfit. It demands attention – red letter, red carpet, red hot; it spells danger – red alert, red flag, red light; it indicates passion and it stands for love. It’s played a starring role in the movies – The Red Shoes; songs – Little Red Corvette; and fashion – both for Valentino and Vivienne Westwood. At Ops&Ops we’re big fans. Our Red Bumper Car and Patent and No10s work as a burst of colour against more retiring shades, a contrast or match-up with accessories, and the starting point for head-to-toe daring days....
Camouflage comes in many disguises. Military. Animal. Plant. Colours too, from khaki, tan and green through black, white and fawn, to blue, greys and black – just like our Camo Blue No10s. Designers have favoured camouflage for decades. Leopard prints have been popular since the 1920s, reaching their zenith in the 1960s when Jackie O was a fan. Salvador Dalí wrapped himself in zebra print back in the 1930s and Andy Warhol, Bruce Weber and Versace all paid homage. Victorian palm house motifs and foliage and Art Deco palms proved a huge inspiration for House of Hackney and their Palmeral pattern used both in clothes and furnishings. But it is military garb that springs to mind first when talking camouflage. Camo was introduced by the French at...
We are still on a high after a brilliant time hosting our first solo London popup. We opened our week-long Shoreditch store, at 67 Redchurch Street, to the strains of the Shangri-Las. One of the highlights of the popup was a late-night shopping and drinks evening. But the biggest thrill for us was meeting our customers face to face. We had old friends stop by to say hello and check out our new collection, including the brand-new No11s, and met many new faces popping in for a chat and try-on. An ace week was capped off when we got to see the latest episode of Girls, and saw Hannah (Lena Dunham) wearing Ops&Ops Red Patent No10s throughout! If you didn’t get a chance to come over, but would like to try on...
