For over 100 years, the world looked to the Jewish East End for the latest trends in menswear.
Moses Mods and Mr Fish — at the Jewish Museum from 31 March — explores the glory days of London's tailoring industry; how at one time, 60% of Jewish men in the city worked in tailoring, and how many of the pioneers of the heyday were Jews — from Montague Burton and Moses Moss to Cecil Gee and Michael Fish.
The exhibition regales this tale of tailoring with vintage ads and photos, as well as suits designed by the likes of Mr Fish, who was a favourite with Mick Jagger and David Bowie.
Moses, Mods and Mr Fish: The Menswear Revolution is on at the Jewish Museum, Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, NW1 7NB from 31 March-19 June. Exhibition included in museum entry price: £7.50 adults, £6.50 concessions, £3.50 children
Burton’s facade in East Ham, circa 1930s. Burtons expanded rapidly, growing from 14 branches in 1914 to 595 branches in 1939. Courtesy of Burton Family Archives
Cecil Gee publicity, 15 December 1961. From the mid 1950s Gee pioneered the sharp, neat Italian look, later adopted by the mods.
The cutting room, Burton’s factory at Hudson Road Mills, Leeds, c.1930, courtesy of Burton Family Archives
Burton’s photo shoot for the promotion of the Mr Burt clothing range, 1970-1975
Moss Bros poster from 1946, advertising 'mufti' (slang for civilian attire), courtesy of Imperial War Museum
Mr Fish (seated) with celebrity friends including Twiggy, Tom Courtenay and Joe Orton. Photographer: Lichfield
