Blue Denim

Katherine Hepburn famously epitomised the head strong career woman starring along side Spencer Tracey in “Adams Rib†one of the best romantic comedies ever made. She portrayed similar roles in other movies teaming up with Cary Grant on numerous occasions. She was famous for her love affairs with men like Howard Hughes and later Spencer Tracy, which lasted until his death.

But there is one thing she’s not famous for, which slightly overshadows her roles and romps on and off the screen. In 1971 Katherine took the extraordinary step of ordering tailor made blue denim jeans from her late lover's Savile Row tailor. Hepburn's commission foreshadowed bespoke denim collections launched in 2006 by Timothy Everest and Evisu.

Now days its well sign posted, the road from Hollywood to Savile Row and well trodden by the who’s who of screen idols, like Jude Law ordering bespoke denim jeans at £180 a pop.

For many years Silent Screen idol, Rudolph Valentino wore immaculate suits made by the hands of Anderson & Sheppard. Soon after Valentino died in 1926, other actors like Douglas Fairbanks Senior, Marlene Dietrich, Noel Coward and Gary Cooper trod a regular path to Anderson & Sheppard. Such customers did much too promote the exclusive services of Savile Row.

Thirty years after the fact, denim has been elevated to a new level of acceptance. It’s not hard to imagine the possibility of denim suits appearing on the scene, I’d have one.

It’s a long road travelled by Denim from Genoa to Savile Row the Sartorial capitol of the world. Thanks to Katherine Hepburn’s intervention Denim is accepted in even some London gentleman’s clubs.

And yet another name comes to mind, of the same gender and equal in ferocity, but far superior in creativity. Vivienne Westwood is the name that immediately comes to mind. She has dominated the international style arena virtually unchallenged for thirty years. Vivienne teamed up with Malcolm Mclaren in the 70’s and together became one of the most creative partnerships in history. Founders of the Punk Style the impact of their influence is still felt today.

Now Vivienne has an impressive range of silk ties, they’re as cool and refreshing as a sea breeze on a hot stuffy summer’s day. There’s her lips tie, displaying a large print of an open mouth with full, rounded lips, framing a wet tongue. And then there’s her oops tie, with what appears to be stains near the tip of the blade. Now chaps how many times at the dinner table have you stained your tie and then said “oops� Far from being categorised as garish novelties, they are works of art. Perhaps other designers will take head and stop flogging dead horses.

Vivienne Westwood epitomises the head strong career women in similar fashion to Katherine Hepburn, it paid off for both of them.