Don Letts on Skinheads

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih26uQBff2g?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

For those not in the know, Don Letts, with help from Fred Perry, has recently produced a series of short episodes focusing on various subcultures with links to the Fred Perry brand. Believe it or not we’ve posted the skinhead episode here. While the documentary certainly leaves a lot to be desired, it’s interesting to see Fred Perry finally acknowledge it’s past history with the skinhead subculture as it seems that has become a taboo word for many classic skinhead brands as of late. There is definitely better out documentaries out there and most of the footage is recycled but let’s face it, everyone will probably at least give it a look.

Ode To Fred

There is obviously no shortage when it comes to makers of polo shirts. We’re quite sure there’s actually very few companies who don’t put out their own range of polos. But no one makes a better one then Fred Perry as far as we’re concerned. It would appear many others agree with us when you consider the number of clothing makers within the scene, such as Britac and Mikkel Rude, who make button down shirts but none of which offer polos. Much like another one of our favorite clothing makers, Ben Sherman, the original designer of the classic Fred Perry polo, Tibby Wegner, received much inspiration from an already established design. For Fred Perry it was the polos originally produced by Rene Lacoste, a name a few of you might know. The classic laurel wreath was chosen because of it’s use as Wimbledon official symbol. Little known fact: mods were almost solely responsible for the introduction of more than just one color (plain white) after Fred Perry polos became a hugely popular item on the scene. It’s been a staple of mods, skinheads, suedeheads and pop stars ever since.