With a career spanning over six decades, John Simons' contribution to British menswear remains unparalleled. Regarded by many as the definitive voice on Ivy League style in the UK, John has in turn influenced the global menswear scene, with his unique approach to curation, blending throughout his career the finest in contemporary menswear with exquisite vintage pieces, all of which is filtered through the lens of mid-century American and European style.
BRAND HISTORY
"TIMELESS STYLE SINCE 1955"
EARLY CAREER
1955: John Simons began his career as a window dresser for the illustrious Cecil Gee, a prominent name in British menswear at the time. This role provided him with a formative education, honing his keen eye for window dressing and subsequently enrolling in a distributive trades course at St Martins School of Art, which was situated opposite Cecil Gee’s storefront.
INDEPENDENT TRADING
Early 1960s: Armed with invaluable experience, John ventured into independent trading. He began by selling clothes from a market stall situated in Hackney, where his unique vision for menswear began to take shape.
CLOTHESVILLE: MARE STREET, HACKNEY
1963: John opened Clothesville on Mare Street in Hackney. This shop catered to the burgeoning mod scene, offering an array of stylish items such as tight-fitting pea coats and Farah trousers with cross-top pockets. Clothesville also featured innovative Burberry-inspired pieces with a twist, like short shooter jackets with front patch pockets and button-down collars in various shades of corduroy. The shop's playful window displays, with humorous signs like “Cary Grant never wore these shoes” and fictional announcements like “visit the shop, Chet Baker will be here between three and five to sign,” added to its charm and began a legacy which continues today. Clothesville was John’s first official storefront, upon which he reflects he was driven by his instinct to “fulfil the unspoken needs of his generation”.
THE IVY SHOP: HILL RISE RICHMOND
1964: Building on the success of Clothesville, John, along with his friend Jeff, opened The Ivy Shop on Hill Rise in Richmond. The shop officially opened in the summer of 1964, with their first Saturday’s takings amounting to £60 - a promising start that delighted the budding entrepreneurs. This shop was instrumental in introducing the Ivy League aesthetic to the UK, and notably saw the introduction of iconic brand Baracuta to the British market. In 1965 John recognised Baracuta’s G9 model to be the same as that worn by the character of Rodney Harrington, in the 1960’s TV show Peyton Place. As was customary at that time, John placed the new line centre stage in his display window, with a hand-written note dubbing it “The Rodney Harrington”, marking the first documented use of the term Harrington jacket, which in turn forever changed the menswear lexicon.
THE SQUIRE SHOP: KING'S ROAD
1967: John expanded his retail presence with The Squire Shop on King's Road, co-founded with his friend Stuart Malloy. The shop, originally an old butcher shop, retained many of its original features, including tiles and wooden benches. After extensive refurbishment, the butcher's tables took centre stage, serving as a display for the shop’s iconic shoe collection; a feature recalled with nostalgia by customers to this very day.
J. SIMONS: RUSSELL STREET, COVENT GARDEN
1982: John opened J. Simons on Russell Street in Covent Garden. This store was pioneering in its approach to selling vintage goods, including pieces from prestigious names like Savile Row, Anderson and Sheppard, and Henry Poole, and mixing these items with then contemporary brands. By legitimizing the recycling of clothing to a high degree, John set a trend that many illustrious names would follow, cementing his influence in the global menswear scene, with this practice now being commonplace far and wide, from artisan boutiques in Paris, France, to Tokyo, Japan. Crucially, J. Simons was also the first location where John stocked another cornerstone brand, namely Paraboot. Making J. Simons the first stockist of this cult French shoemaker in the UK.
MODERN ERA
2011: The John Simons storefront relocated to No. 46 Chiltern Street in Marylebone. This location continues to embody John's commitment to mid-century American style whilst imbuing his love for European flare, and the best of modern menswear. John Simons remains a landmark and beacon for all discerning modernists. The store offers a curated selection of products from around the globe, including artisan Japanese denim and premium French workwear, reflecting a blend of classic style with modern sensibilities.
John Simons continues to be celebrated by those in-the-know as a leading authority on Ivy League style in the UK, ensuring his legacy in British menswear endures for generations to come.