I have been fascinated by the style of the Teddy Boys in 50's and 60's London since seeing this photo of the Queen Mum's brother, my uncle Billy.
"A lovable rogue" she called him, my uncle Billy ended up entagled in a world of crime and was to never to be seen or heard of again. Whilst I never met my uncle Billy, his photo is always kept in my inspiration folder.
My father was also a Teddy Boy and the Queen Mum often used to recount tales of his amazing clothes - the long jacket with velvet collar, his super pointed shoes, drainpipe trousers and, of course, his quiff which was combed into a 'duck's arse' at the back.
My father was a drummer in a rock 'n' roll band when the Queen Mum met him, and still played in a band right up until I was about 5 years old. I have fond memories of going to watch him practice on a Saturday afternoon, and he even still had his Teddy Boy coat.
I think my fondness of the androgynous look really stems for these influential people in my life and the look of subcultures of the 50's and 60's.
Another image which always has me riffling the rails of charity shops for the perfect pair of men's suit trousers, are theses photo's of the notorious gangsters Ronny and Reggie Kray.
These vicious London hoodlums, were as well known for their crisp cut Savile Row suits and impeccable appearance as their dastdardly deeds. My Prince has a pair of glasses, which belonged to his father, that look exactly like these, and they look as amazing now as they did back in the 50's.
I am awaiting a new pair of white winkle pickers arriving from Underground, since the sole of my favourite pair finally gave up the ghost, leaving a gaping, Teddy Boy shaped hole in my wardrobe.
I will be looking for some slick drainpipe trousers and teaming them with my long boyfriend tuxedo jacket to evoke a little bit of the style of my Uncle Billy, my father and a little bit of London gangster thrown in for good measure.
Queen Michelle
