Saatchi & Saatchi’s aging rocker, Richard Jupp, was with me in Singapore the other week when I was speaking at Global Brand Forum. Richard gave me a terrific long-sleeved, collared cotton shirt made from vintage fabric from a Manchester Company called English Laundry. On the left breast was All You Need Is Love and the words to the classic song were on the back right-hand panel. The story behind English Laundry is amazing. A few young lads in Manchester or, as they call it today, The Center of the Universe, picked up a load of original fabrics from the 60’s and 70’s that had been laying in some old warehouses. They produced a funky range of arrogant designs; handmade fabric, handmade embroidery, handmade stitching with tongue in cheek Manchester design elements. One t-shirt has Welcome to Manchester from English Laundry emblazoned on the front. On the back are the words, Now F**k Off. Madness and attitude. It’s an updated version of my retro Lovemark Ben Sherman. I love it. I just ordered 6 of their summer designs, including St. Mary, St. John, Wigan, and Coronation Street! Check ‘em out.
