Carnaby Street, London

Until the 1950s, Carnaby was a quiet street on the western edge of Soho, mainly inhabited by sweatshop tailors who crafted suits for the nearby Savile Row in Mayfair. However, in 1954, Bill Green opened a shop in the neighboring Newburgh Street, where he sold bold and unconventional clothing to the gay community frequenting the local baths. Soon after, John Stephen, the son of a grocer from Glasgow, launched "His Clothes" on Beak Street. In 1960, Stephen relocated his business to Carnaby and swiftly established a chain of stylish boutiques that catered to the growing demand for flamboyant men's fashion, including the iconic "I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet" store. By 1964, Carnaby had become a magnet for Mods, Jamaican Rude Boys, and other fashion-forward individuals, as noted by the Daily Telegraph. It was also the year when Mary Quant introduced her first miniskirt to the area, solidifying Carnaby as the epicenter of London's vibrant "Swinging Sixties" scene, with its street sign being the most popular postcard in the city.

However, Carnaby Street's excessive hype eventually led to its downfall, as it transformed into a street filled with overpriced and low-quality merchandise. Today, it has been transformed into a pedestrianized and fashionable area once more, but it is predominantly occupied by chain stores. To experience the latest in contemporary London fashion, one must explore nearby areas such as Fouberts Place, Newburgh Street, and Kingly Court or venture to the east of London. The pedestrianization of parallel Kingly Street has injected a vibrant nightlife into this corner of Soho, with patrons spilling out from the restaurants and bars that now occupy its eastern side, including one of London's longest-running blues bars ("Ain't Nothin But The Blues Bar") at #20.

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Sight Name: Carnaby Street
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Shopping

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