With clothes at the top of my list
Part one
“What’s it to be then?” says Jonathan Owen in his booming Welsh accent, I gaze up from my Football Italia magazine with a bemused look, “J, you sound like Alex at the start of Clockwork Orange” I retort. Jonathan nods in appreciation that I recognized his Pop culture reference, but he is deadly serious for an answer.
“So, what is it to be? We can’t sit in this coffee house, all day, we need some action” he continues.
“Well it’s 4.30 in the afternoon, far too early to hit the ale for me old son, we could go for another walk around St James Park” I offer.
Jonathan smirks. “What, and listen to you talk about Italian football? No thanks”
I smile and kindly remind him “Yes, and Wales have a glorious history in football”. Jonathan jokily clenches his fist and pulls his arm back as if to punch me, however playtime is over as Al de Perez the photographer strolls back into the coffee shop to join our slightly juvenile conversation.
Al looks pleased “Happy snappy”, he grins. Jonathan cuttingly says “Shit stained statues, loving couples in the park… hardly Life photography.”
Al and I start to laugh, then I say “Hark at Richard Burton there, a few nice comments on FaceBook about his role as Dixie in Svengali, and he thinks he is the big boss groove”.
Jonathan yawns in mock sarcasm “Matteo, just once, I mean just once I would like to have a cup with coffee without you thinking you are the Cappuccino Kid. The Style Council split in 1990, get over it”. I chuckle as I remind him, “Shit stained statue” is from It Came To Pieces In My Hands, the B side to Solid Bond In Your Heart”. Jonathan flops his head down on the table and murmurs, “Here we go, the complete discography of The Style Council, then followed by all the Italian squads, no wonder you are single”. Slightly startled by his aggressive remark, I say in my defense. “You bitch J, just because you know you will never see Cardiff City in Europe, don’t take it out on me. Anyway I am doing all right in the dating department at the moment”. “Yeah late night sessions on YouPorn “quirks Al, we all start to laugh.
“Why don’t we go shopping, all the girls do it as therapy. You can’t beat that feel of a new shirt on your back, or cracking in a new pair of shoes whilst doing the Soho Strut,” says Jonathan inspiringly.
“Jonathan, you are now quoting Soho Strut by Secret Affair,” I say mocking him, Jonathan looks skyward. Al joins in “I'm surprised you ain’t throwing in a few Oasis quotes for good measure, I mean you're becoming more like Dixie by the day”. I shriek with laughter at Al’s quip. Jonathan seemingly bored of all this banter, pulls himself forward on the table, and Al and I huddle together for a group meeting. “Look I saw a great shop called New& Lingwood, on Jermyn Street on the Piccadilly Parade. Matteo don’t you dare start singing the Piccadilly Trail, anyway it has classic and classy clobber, for the Boy About Town”
“Jonathon, now you are quoting The Jam, , but we haven’t got any clothes money, only beer vouchers, and change for a Take Away Curry” I say, Al quick as a flash adds “And I am the way home to my wife”.
Jonathan oblivious to our humour, boldly states “Ok who I am?” Al and I exchange looks, and then glance at him with a look of do you really want me to answer that? He continues “I am Dixie from Svengali, the biggest hit on the internet” “Ahem “I reply “I think you will find ZANI is”.
Jonathan laughing “OK, Svengalizanimania. But listen we go in there, tell them about ZANI, who I am and about Al and his photographers. We offer to do a photoshot and put it up on ZANI, free of charge. We use our charm, they are bound to let three well dressed men don their clobber around the old smoke, everyone is a winner”
“Now you are sounding like Dell Boy, but it's worth a go” I reply, so Al packs his camera into his bag and we march in unison to the shop whistling A Dedicated Follower Of Fashion.
Part Two
As we enter into the beautiful wood paneling and stylish décor of New & Lingwood, our inner feelings are met with sense of tradition and Modernist clothing. We gaze in amazement at quintessential English clothing from Boating Blazers to Bespoke Chelsea Boots. We have entered into a chapel of fashion and we stand in ceremony. In a rare moment of silence we notice a sign in the shop that tells us that New & Lingwood was formed in 1865 in Eton College and has been supplying Eton ever since. I mouthed the word to my friends “Sup up your beer and collect your fags” Al smirks whilst Jonathan tuts, the stillness is broken.
I gaze at our reflections in the shop mirror, looking inadequate in our attire as we are surrounded by such beautiful and sharp clothing, that has a strong essence of quality, refinement and aristocracy.
The shop assistants do not seem perturbed by three lads entering into their premises. Feeling like an enchanted child in wonderland, I whisper in Jonathan’s ear, “Our Favourite Shop”, Jonathan turns round and whispers back “One more Paul Weller reference and I will put you through the shop window”. I poke my tongue out childishly in response.
A smart and amiable man approaches us “Good afternoon sirs, my name is Terry and how can I help you”. Jonathan puffs his chest out and steps forward to assume the role of the leader, “Do you know who I am?” Al and I cringe with embarrassment.
Terry smiles and replies “A well dressed man looking to buy some good clothes?”, “Yes that is true but also I am Jonathan Owen, AKA Dixie from the Internet Hit Comedy Svengali” , which Al adds “It’s big in Japan you know”. I start to snigger like Mutley from Whacky Races.
The man is not fazed by us, as he seem used to banter “An actor sir, well you’ve come to the right place, as Benicio Del Toro often pops in here for a shirt or two. Only the other day we had Mickey Rourke in here, trying to get a discount on a crombie”. Al, Jonathan and I exchange knowing smiles, knowing that New & Lingwood have a good client base, which is confirmed further “Even Paul Weller occasionally buys from us” Terry says whilst looking at me. I look at Jonathan with a smug expression, as he comically shakes his head.
Then I decide to get involved “Hello Terry, I am the editor of ZANI, an online magazine for modern culture, we were in the area, as we were window shopping and I have to say that we fell in love with your clothes. So we have decided to offer New & Lingwood our services”. Terry smiles and says “ And what can three men like you offer us ? “ to which I reply in the most assertive way I can, “Jonathan Owen, AKA Dixie from Svengali in your clobber, with photographers by Al, who is known as the new David Bailey, plus a write up by yours truly on ZANI”. Terry looks us up and down, in an improving manner, and says “Why not”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Al, Jonathan & I are rummaging through an amazing collection of clothes, as we embark on a voyage of fashion. Soon Jonathan stands before us in a sharp pin stripe suit, tailored blue shirt with white cuffs and collars, blue knitted tie and smart neat and petite blue cufflinks. Jonathan looks so wonderful and cool, he looks at me and winks, then says “Lunch is for wimps”, I smile.
I walk off to look at the wonders of the shop, as Al is busy taking photographs of the now rather dapper looking Jonathan.
I am lost in the moment as I am touching the soft silk of their dressing gowns, thinking what it must be like to be Hugh Hefner, then out of the corner of my eye I see Jonathan sporting an awesome dark blue crombie with blue velvet collars. Jonathan strolls out of the shop into Jermyn Street to soak up the London vibe, as he leaves he utters the words “Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.”
I follow Jonathon and Al into Jermyn Street to watch the beautiful people go by thinking how wonderful the afternoon is panning out. I walk over to New & Lingwood’s shop window to gaze upon their wonderful array of leather shoes. From brogues to penny loafers, there is a shoe for every occasion. Lost in my thoughts of style I haven’t noticed Jonathan walking behind me, with Al snapping away.
This time Jonathan has donned the country gentlemen look, looking elegant as he parades down Jermyn Street with confidence and ease in a flat cap, checked casual shirt with a dashing country jacket. His swagger and attire are turning heads, he owns the street, good clothes can certainly make you king for a day.
Jonathan relishing the fact that his posture and choice of clothing have caused a minor stir in Jermyn Street, he returns to the shop, with Al in hot pursuit like the paparazzi. The afternoon is going well; Al looks over his shoulder and smiles.
I follow my friends into the shop, thinking of the adage Clothes maketh the man. You get a feeling of worth, beauty and pride when you brush up well. There is not one item of clothing in New & Lingwood that would not give me or any other man the above.
As I return back into the shop, Jonathan again has transformed from the country squire into a modish ultra, with a brown patched duffle coat, paisley scarf and with the whitest cutaway shirt I have ever seen in my life, he looks fearless and chic. Al is lost in his work as he clicks away with his camera. There is a feeling of unity as the staff of New & Lingwood have welcomed ZANI and Svengali with open arms.
I can feel the photo shoot coming to an end, feeling it would be wrong to blag any clothes, because this adventure into the wonders of clothes has been as inspiring as listening to a record by Sly and The Family Stone. As Jonathan parades proudly around the shop in the remarkable duffle coat, I walk up to him and say “What’s it to be then?”
To be continued
All of the clothes worn by Jonathan Owen (Dixie, Svengali) can be found at New & Lingwood, and much more for all you modernists out there. Get Smart.
New & Lingwood Official Site
New & Lingwood
53 Jermyn Street
St James's
London
SW1Y 6LX
© - Words – Matteo Sedazzari
© Photographer - Al de Perez
