Category Archives: Fashion and Clothing

Burton’s ‘Modern Temples of Commerce’

Posted on January 28, 2017 by buildingourpast

Montague Burton began to build new shops – ‘modern temples of commerce’ – around 1923, when he had amassed around 200 branches. The next year the company opened in a wing of Woolworth’s new superstore in Liverpool where Burton’s architect, Harry Wilson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Burton, Fashion and Clothing | 18 Comments

A Spotter’s Guide to Montague Burton – the Tailor of Taste, Part 2

Posted on January 28, 2017 by buildingourpast

Art Deco Motifs Burton’s architect, Harry Wilson, had fully embraced art deco by 1930 and seems to have had great fun dressing façades in variants of this popular style. This involved the application of stylised geometric motifs, sometimes in profusion. By … Continue reading →

Posted in Burton, Fashion and Clothing, Spotter's Guides | 5 Comments

A Spotter’s Guide to Montague Burton – the Tailor of Taste, Part 1

Posted on January 27, 2017 by buildingourpast

‘The Tailor of Taste’ When Montague Burton became a limited company in 1917, it was registered as ‘Montague Burton the Tailor of Taste Ltd’. The slogan, as part of Burton’s name, formed part of firm’s logo, appearing on fascias, parapets, … Continue reading →

Posted in Burton, Fashion and Clothing, Spotter's Guides | 2 Comments

The Legacy of J. Hepworth & Son

Posted on January 15, 2017 by buildingourpast

For a full century, between 1884 and 1985, Hepworth’s was a thriving national chain of men’s clothing shops, with a strong line in ready-made and made-to-measure suits. Rivals in the same field included Montague Burton, The Fifty Shilling Tailor (later … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion and Clothing | 203 Comments

The National Fur Company

Posted on October 1, 2016 by buildingourpast

The National Fur Company was established by Arron (or Arnold) Barder (1859-1914) in Sloane Street, London. In the early 20th century it moved to 193 Brompton Road, eventually expanding to fill 191-195, a site now occupied by Blom Bank. Barder’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion and Clothing | 21 Comments

Forgotten Fashions: Etam

Posted on May 26, 2016 by buildingourpast

Etam was one of several fashion or boutique chains which were popular with young women in the mid-20th century. Its main rivals through the 1960s and 1970s included Dorothy Perkins, Chelsea Girl (sigh!), Richard Shops, Wallis and Miss Selfridge. In later … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion and Clothing | 3 Comments