A Few Alterations to Rock and Roll History

Today is Global Beatles Day and I have a tiny tale of my own related to this celebration of modern culture influenced by the Fab Four. Meet my friend Faith Cohen. We go way back to the good old days of punk rock except she was talking more about The Beatles then. Time has passed and she is making bigger noise about The Beatles now. She's the creator of Global Beatles Day! She lives it, breathes it, sleeps it. ... And now she wants to wear it out on Saturday night!

This jacket is a genuine artifact of rock and roll history. It was previously owned by Pattie Boyd who was first married to George Harrison. They met on the set of A Hard Day's Night in which Pattie appeared as an extra in the film. Pattie was a model for Mary Quant and is credited with creating the definitive "London Look" that was perpetuated by Twiggy in later years. After Brian Epstein gave the Beatle his permission to marry her, she accompanied him to the Maharishi's ashram in India. She inspired The Beatles song "Something". And, yes, that is Pattie Boyd in the video at the link. After her subsequent marriage to Eric Clapton, and being the inspiration for his rock classic "Layla", Pattie Boyd became known to be "The Greatest Rock Muse" ever.

The jacket itself has a pop culture connection. It was made by Kings Road designer Nigel Preston for his fashion line branded Maxfield Parrish. He was well known for colorful leather and suede clothing and was popular with rock stars in the mid-1970s going forward. Although Mr. Preston is no longer living, his brand is still in production.

So why doesn't Faith look very happy in the picture above? Maybe it's because she is swimming in the garment and something must be done! Lucky for her she knows me and Baisebeige Studios is the home of the Gonzo Alteration. It was no problem to take the jacket apart, raise the shoulder line, take in the torso, take in the sleeves and shorten the sleeves while preserving the original intention of the maker's design lines. And, it doesn't hurt at all that I completely "get it" and understand the whole story attached to this article of clothing.

The surgery was a complete success and Pattie Boyd's jacket fits exactly like Faith Cohen's jacket should fit. It's so true that the culture of The Beatles is being passed forward through time. This little wearable snippet of history has many more years of fashion fun ahead of it. I think a much happier Faith agrees and is drinking to that!