Mr Fish

Men's fashions during the 19th and 20th centuries have been conservative and dull in comparison to women's. The 1960s saw the 'peacock revolution', a high point of flamboyance in men's dress. One important contributor was Michael Fish.

Initially apprenticed to a shirtmaker's, by 1962 he was designing floral shirts for Turnbull and Asser of Jermyn Street. These garments were often decorated with embroidery and ruffles.

Fish became a leading stylist, in tune with the sixties urge for self expression through highly individual clothing. In 1965 he dressed Terence Stamp in vivid Liberty prints for his film role in 'Modesty Blaise'.

The following year Fish opened his boutique 'Mr. Fish' on Clifford Street. Here he sold wide 'kipper' ties, colourful suits and ethnic inspired separates. A mixture of trendsetting aristocrats and stars made it a glamorous shopping destination.

The printed corduroy suit pictured here was created at the height of the trend for psychedelic colours. It is made from corduroy furnishing fabric. The donor, David Mlinaric, bought the fabric on a visit to the US so that he could have a suit made from it on his return home. Like denim, corduroy was a fabric originally used for work clothes that was then adopted for leisure wear. Polo neck sweaters like this one were a chic alternative to the more formal shirt and tie.