A rare ‘Mr Fish’ kipper tie unearthed at a charity shop is featured in ‘Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style’ exhibition, which runs until April 2024 It is on display at the Museum of London’s Docklands.
The tie, originally designed by renowned menswear designer Michael Fish, ended up in the hands of 65-year-old Janeke van der Wal, an aficionado of thrift store treasures.
Mr van der Wal, who bought it for just 99p at the Age UK shop in Southampton, was initially unaware of its cultural significance until he looked into its history more closely after returning home. She discovered Michael’s connection to Fish and, recognizing the historical value of the tie, she immediately contacted the Museum of London and donated it to her collection.
The characteristic wide design of this type of tie became known as the kipper tie, a playful homage to the designer’s name, Michael Fish. A menswear pioneer in the 1960s and 1970s counterculture movement, Mr. Fish was a prominent figure in the formation of the “Peacock Revolution.”
He went on to found his own venture, Mr. Fish, where he revived the staples of British menswear in bold colors and patterns, and experimented with innovative silhouettes. Notable people who have worn the “Mr. Fish” label include Mick Jagger, Muhammad Ali, Jimi Hendrix, and Michael Caine.
Keen viewers will recognize Sean Connery’s original James Bond role as “Mr. Fish.” David Bowie famously wore the “Mr. Fish” dress on the cover of his 1970 album “The Man Who Sold the World.”
Dr Lucy Whitmore, Curator of Fashion City, said: ‘Objects come to the museum through a variety of routes, but we’re proud to announce that iconic pieces of London fashion are now in our collections and on display in our exhibitions. I’m glad that it will be done,” he said. 283