Carnaby Street Celebrates its 50 Birthday with Fashion, Photography and Music Exhibition
08 February, 2010
by: Spoonfed Arts Team
Carnaby Street gets the 50th birthday celebrations rolling with a special exhibition and limited edition book launch.
2010 is the year Carnaby turns the big five zero, and to commemorate such a momentous occasion, a year-long celebration commences just after London Fashion Week this February. Home to some of the Sixties' most iconic fashion designers, the rakish trend-setters and dedicated followers of fashion who flocked to the area's boutique-lined streets will be the the subject of much fond reminiscing over the coming months.
Throughout 2010, various events will take place to celebrate fashion, design and music over the last five decades, with a particular focus on the Carnaby heyday of the 1960s. From 26th February to 10th April, Carnaby Street: 1960-2010, an exhibition comes to 38 Carnaby Street. Curated by fashion historians Judith Clark and Amy de la Haye, the exhibition delves deep into the history of the area from the 16th Century to the present day, and is accompanied by a book of the same name.
A 3D timeline forms the focal point of the display, and documents the pivotal events and figures who have shaped the road and steadily transformed the area from its earliest green field roots to the lively array of boutiques, restaurants and bars that exists today. Once the stomping ground of The Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols and Jimi Hendrix, the Youth culture which sprang up and congregated here, is captured by '60s photographer Philip Townsend. Townsend's iconic images feature in the limited edition book, along with exclusive interviews with people who lived and worked in the area, including The Who's Pete Townshend.
Many never before seen historical exhibits on loan from The Museum of Soho, The Museum of London and the Victoria & Albert Museum will also be displayed. Work by the visionary writer, artist and former resident, William Blake, will appear alongside newly commissioned artwork from photographer Syd Shelton and illustrator Alice Jones. A short film by James Norton featuring snippets of archive film footage will also be shown.
Staunchly independent in spirit, Carnaby continues to foster entrepreneurial talent with over 60% of the area's 135 shops still independently owned. This forthcoming exhibition will be the first of many memorable events planned for 2010, including a live music weekend in June and a unique fashion show in September. Rather than becoming well and truly gripped by the throes of middle age, this is the proof that Carnaby is as lively as ever – there's still life and legacy in these old bricks and mortar yet.
Carnaby Street: 1960-2010 is on at 38 Carnaby Street until 10.04.10.
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