fred perry archive

personal collection of rare, iconic and contemporary pieces

introduction

For the sixth installment of our archive feature we’ve been lucky to access the diverse and much loved collection of R.B. – a friend of oki-ni and a long term Fred Perry collector. Enjoy. shop Fred Perry 日本語


current

Cotton jersey checkerboard polo - first worn to Mosely Comprehensive Youth Club 1985. Cotton jersey checkerboard polo - first worn to Mosely Comprehensive Youth Club 1985. Cotton jersey checkerboard polo - first worn to Mosely Comprehensive Youth Club 1985. Cotton jersey checkerboard polo - first worn to Mosely Comprehensive Youth Club 1985. Tie-up with 100 Club to help support the club. All proceeds of Terry's Subculture events go to the under threat and last remaining modernist music club.jpg Tie-up with 100 Club to help support the club. All proceeds of Terry's Subculture events go to the under threat and last remaining modernist music club.jpg Tie-up with 100 Club to help support the club. All proceeds of Terry's Subculture events go to the under threat and last remaining modernist music club.jpg The Last Champion - the first biography of Fred Perry written by Jon Henderson, tennis correspondent of the Observer. The Last Champion - the first biography of Fred Perry written by Jon Henderson, tennis correspondent of the Observer. The Last Champion - the first biography of Fred Perry written by Jon Henderson, tennis correspondent of the Observer. Comme Des Garcons trainer in brown corduroy with blue woven laurel. Comme Des Garcons trainer in brown corduroy with blue woven laurel. Comme Des Garcons trainer in brown corduroy with blue woven laurel. Comme Des Garcons trainer in brown corduroy with blue woven laurel. Comme Des Garcons trainer in brown corduroy with blue woven laurel. 'My favourite knit polo c1960 - kindly donated by my pal Handy Joe.' 'My favourite knit polo c1960 - kindly donated by my pal Handy Joe.' 'My favourite knit polo c1960 - kindly donated by my pal Handy Joe.' 'My favourite knit polo c1960 - kindly donated by my pal Handy Joe.' Comme Des Garcons sleeveless navy/emerald knit woth green tipping. Comme Des Garcons sleeveless navy/emerald knit woth green tipping. Comme Des Garcons sleeveless navy/emerald knit woth green tipping. Signed Paul Weller record from the Fred Perry 100 Club gig & aftershow party. Invite for Hammersmith Appolo 22/5/08 also pictured. Signed Paul Weller record from the Fred Perry 100 Club gig & aftershow party. Invite for Hammersmith Appolo 22/5/08 also pictured. S06 intarsia cotton knit polo with four button plackett and fine navy tipping. S06 intarsia cotton knit polo with four button plackett and fine navy tipping. S06 intarsia cotton knit polo with four button plackett and fine navy tipping. S06 intarsia cotton knit polo with four button plackett and fine navy tipping. Comme Des Garcons aw06 acrylic navy cable v-neck knit worn with white Oxford shirt from ss06. Comme Des Garcons aw06 acrylic navy cable v-neck knit worn with white Oxford shirt from ss06. Comme Des Garcons aw06 acrylic navy cable v-neck knit worn with white Oxford shirt from ss06. Comme Des Garcons aw06 acrylic navy cable v-neck knit worn with white Oxford shirt from ss06. Mods! - photobook chronicling the modernist movement from stripped down scooters to 'Raoul' shoes. Mods! - photobook chronicling the modernist movement from stripped down scooters to 'Raoul' shoes. Mods! - photobook chronicling the modernist movement from stripped down scooters to 'Raoul' shoes. Mods! - photobook chronicling the modernist movement from stripped down scooters to 'Raoul' shoes. Spring/summer 08 'Madras' style beach shirt from the Laurel collection. Spring/summer 08 'Madras' style beach shirt from the Laurel collection. Spring/summer 08 'Madras' style beach shirt from the Laurel collection. Spring/summer 08 'Madras' style beach shirt from the Laurel collection. Comme Des Garcons aw04 loop-back cotton/ploy track top based upon an original poly/cotton track top from the late 1960s. Comme Des Garcons aw04 loop-back cotton/ploy track top based upon an original poly/cotton track top from the late 1960s. Comme Des Garcons aw04 loop-back cotton/ploy track top based upon an original poly/cotton track top from the late 1960s. A 1970's M3 polo customised by a well travelled northern souler. Original garment from the 1970's. A 1970's M3 polo customised by a well travelled northern souler. Original garment from the 1970's. A 1970's M3 polo customised by a well travelled northern souler. Original garment from the 1970's. A 1970's M3 polo customised by a well travelled northern souler. Original garment from the 1970's. A 1970's M3 polo customised by a well travelled northern souler. Original garment from the 1970's. Spring/Summer 05 cotton Fred Perry 'monkey' jacket in navy with white/red collar. Spring/Summer 05 cotton Fred Perry 'monkey' jacket in navy with white/red collar. Spring/Summer 05 cotton Fred Perry 'monkey' jacket in navy with white/red collar. Spring/summer 06 knitted pima cotton polo - shown in grey/white. Spring/summer 06 knitted pima cotton polo - shown in grey/white. Spring/summer 06 knitted pima cotton polo - shown in grey/white. Taken from the second Paul Weller & Fred Perry collab; with grandad collar - originally inspired by the bathing suits in the film 'Hard Days Night' by The Beatles - and shown in blue/navy. Taken from the second Paul Weller & Fred Perry collab; with grandad collar - originally inspired by the bathing suits in the film 'Hard Days Night' by The Beatles - and shown in blue/navy. The Raf Simons 100th Anniversary polo; based on the M1 original 1952 polo - shown in black. The Raf Simons 100th Anniversary polo; based on the M1 original 1952 polo - shown in black. The Raf Simons 100th Anniversary polo; based on the M1 original 1952 polo - shown in black. The Raf Simons 100th Anniversary polo; based on the M1 original 1952 polo - shown in black. Vintage poly/cotton Fred Perry tracktop c1968 with arrow collar in navy/red. Vintage poly/cotton Fred Perry tracktop c1968 with arrow collar in navy/red. Vintage poly/cotton Fred Perry tracktop c1968 with arrow collar in navy/red. Scene by Scene 64 - Paul Weller gig review from a 100 Club show. 100 hundred limited FP01 press of 'Shine On' by Paul Weller, backed with then upcoming band The Rakes on the b-side. Scene by Scene 64 - Paul Weller gig review from a 100 Club show. 100 hundred limited FP01 press of 'Shine On' by Paul Weller, backed with then upcoming band The Rakes on the b-side. Scene by Scene 64 - Paul Weller gig review from a 100 Club show. 100 hundred limited FP01 press of 'Shine On' by Paul Weller, backed with then upcoming band The Rakes on the b-side. Scene by Scene 64 - Paul Weller gig review from a 100 Club show. 100 hundred limited FP01 press of 'Shine On' by Paul Weller, backed with then upcoming band The Rakes on the b-side. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. Replica of The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit - this black knit was later re-released alongside other pieces in a special Special's capsule collection. Replica of The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit - this black knit was later re-released alongside other pieces in a special Special's capsule collection. Replica of The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit - this black knit was later re-released alongside other pieces in a special Special's capsule collection. Replica of The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit - this black knit was later re-released alongside other pieces in a special Special's capsule collection. Replica of The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit - this black knit was later re-released alongside other pieces in a special Special's capsule collection. Replica of The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit - this black knit was later re-released alongside other pieces in a special Special's capsule collection. Replica of The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit - this black knit was later re-released alongside other pieces in a special Special's capsule collection. Navy/red polkadot Fred Perry & Tootal scarf. Navy/red polkadot Fred Perry & Tootal scarf. Navy/red polkadot Fred Perry & Tootal scarf. Taken from the second Paul Weller & Fred Perry collab; with grandad collar - originally inspired by the bathing suits in the film 'Hard Days Night' by The Beatles - and shown in navy/grey. Taken from the second Paul Weller & Fred Perry collab; with grandad collar - originally inspired by the bathing suits in the film 'Hard Days Night' by The Beatles - and shown in navy/grey. Autumn/Winter 06 mercerised knit button-through polo. Autumn/Winter 06 mercerised knit button-through polo. Autumn/Winter 06 mercerised knit button-through polo. Comme Des Garcons aw04 loop-back cotton/ploy track top based upon an original poly/cotton track top from the late 1960s. Comme Des Garcons aw04 loop-back cotton/ploy track top based upon an original poly/cotton track top from the late 1960s. Comme Des Garcons aw04 loop-back cotton/ploy track top based upon an original poly/cotton track top from the late 1960s. Comme Des Garcons aw04 loop-back cotton/ploy track top based upon an original poly/cotton track top from the late 1960s. The Who VIP - Roger, Pete, John & Zac on drums. Also pictured is Steve Cradock's (Ocean Colour Scene) vehicle registration for a Mini which was also owned by our collector for a year before until someone set fire to it in Birmingham. The Who VIP - Roger, Pete, John & Zac on drums. Also pictured is Steve Cradock's (Ocean Colour Scene) vehicle registration for a Mini which was also owned by our collector for a year before until someone set fire to it in Birmingham. The Who VIP - Roger, Pete, John & Zac on drums. Also pictured is Steve Cradock's (Ocean Colour Scene) vehicle registration for a Mini which was also owned by our collector for a year before until someone set fire to it in Birmingham. Moss stitch green poly/acrylic knit polo, c9178. Moss stitch green poly/acrylic knit polo, c9178. Moss stitch green poly/acrylic knit polo, c9178. Moss stitch green poly/acrylic knit polo, c9178. The Soul Stylists: Six Decades of Modernism - a celebration of the Mods using personal testimonies of both the famous, the infamous and the unknown. The Soul Stylists: Six Decades of Modernism - a celebration of the Mods using personal testimonies of both the famous, the infamous and the unknown. The Soul Stylists: Six Decades of Modernism - a celebration of the Mods using personal testimonies of both the famous, the infamous and the unknown. Camel/wine patterned Fred Perry & Tootal scarf. Camel/wine patterned Fred Perry & Tootal scarf. Camel/wine patterned Fred Perry & Tootal scarf. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. Terry towelling effect acrylic polo with B50 Laurel, c1978. The very first Weller collaboration & colour; the label has been personally signed by the Weller himself. The very first Weller collaboration & colour; the label has been personally signed by the Weller himself. The icon book from Fred Perry to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fred Perry, written by Paolo Hewitt. The icon book from Fred Perry to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fred Perry, written by Paolo Hewitt. The icon book from Fred Perry to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fred Perry, written by Paolo Hewitt. The icon book from Fred Perry to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fred Perry, written by Paolo Hewitt. Spring/Summer 05 Comme Des Garcons 'monkey' jacket in black cotton with sky/white collar Spring/Summer 05 Comme Des Garcons 'monkey' jacket in black cotton with sky/white collar Spring/Summer 05 Comme Des Garcons 'monkey' jacket in black cotton with sky/white collar Spring/Summer 05 Comme Des Garcons 'monkey' jacket in black cotton with sky/white collar Loop back cotton poly track top (as per Mods! book page 66). Loop back cotton poly track top (as per Mods! book page 66). Loop back cotton poly track top (as per Mods! book page 66). Loop back cotton poly track top (as per Mods! book page 66). Comme Des Garcon acrylic tank top with ice/ecru tipping from Autumn/Winter 04. Comme Des Garcon acrylic tank top with ice/ecru tipping from Autumn/Winter 04. Comme Des Garcon acrylic tank top with ice/ecru tipping from Autumn/Winter 04. The very first Weller collaboration & colour; the label has been personally signed by the Weller himself. The very first Weller collaboration & colour; the label has been personally signed by the Weller himself. The very first Weller collaboration & colour; the label has been personally signed by the Weller himself. 2nd August 1964 Sunday Times Magazine - this magazine while being iconic for Mods the world over unfortunately was the beginning of the end. Three weeks later Mods were in a total media frenzy - followed by The Beach Battles. 2nd August 1964 Sunday Times Magazine - this magazine while being iconic for Mods the world over unfortunately was the beginning of the end. Three weeks later Mods were in a total media frenzy - followed by The Beach Battles. 2nd August 1964 Sunday Times Magazine - this magazine while being iconic for Mods the world over unfortunately was the beginning of the end. Three weeks later Mods were in a total media frenzy - followed by The Beach Battles. 2nd August 1964 Sunday Times Magazine - this magazine while being iconic for Mods the world over unfortunately was the beginning of the end. Three weeks later Mods were in a total media frenzy - followed by The Beach Battles. Black knit Fred Perry polo with red laurel, c1978. Black knit Fred Perry polo with red laurel, c1978. Black knit Fred Perry polo with red laurel, c1978. Black knit Fred Perry polo with red laurel, c1978. Taken from the second Paul Weller & Fred Perry collab; with a grandad collar - originally inspired by the bathing suits in the film 'Hard Days Night' by The Beatles - and shown in white/navy. Taken from the second Paul Weller & Fred Perry collab; with a grandad collar - originally inspired by the bathing suits in the film 'Hard Days Night' by The Beatles - and shown in white/navy. Fred Perry 'swing-ticket' invite to 100 Club featuring Terry Hall. Fred Perry 'swing-ticket' invite to 100 Club featuring Terry Hall. Made In England cotton 'monkey' jacket with a B50 laurel, c1998. Made In England cotton 'monkey' jacket with a B50 laurel, c1998. Made In England cotton 'monkey' jacket with a B50 laurel, c1998. Made In England cotton 'monkey' jacket with a B50 laurel, c1998. Fred Perry 'target' Mod pin badge.
history

In winning his first Wimbledon championship in 1934 Fred Perry bucked a trend. Firstly - he was English, the first Englishman to win the tournament in 25 years. Secondly, he was the son of a cotton spinner - neither the 'gentleman' nor aristocrat usually associated with the prestigious competition. A committee member famously snubbed the working class hero by consoling his loosing opponent that 'the best man certainly didn't win.'

Perry never forgot those words - his determination to conquer the world of tennis was fired in part by a healthy disrespect for the establishment.

Towards the end of the 1940s, Perry was approached by former Austrian Tibby Wegner footballer with an idea for marketing a sports sweatband. The original design was made from bath towel material and 'weighed a ton'; a redesigned prototype was lighter, softer and more pliable and the pair were in business. After developing the infamous laurel logo from the Wimbledon wreath, they marketed the sweatband to top players at international tournaments, persuading them to wear them on court and from that moment Fred Perry Sportswear was launched.

From day one, Fred Perry sportswear found its way to the heart of youth culture. Undoubtedly, the most iconic piece of clothing associated with the brand is the pique cotton polo shirt. Fred called it the 'shirt that fits', it was adopted by body conscious tennis stars and a generation of subcultures alike. Initially only available in block colours, the famous collar and cuff tipping were added later but otherwise the M12 shirt sold today remains exactly the same.

A series of subcultures embraced the Fred Perry look. Mods, Skinheads, Suedeheads, Rude Boys, Northern Soul, Two Tone and the short lived Perry Boys. And then came the Casuals. The 80s and early 90s were a time for reappraisal as youth culture turned towards 'designer' brands and imported sportswear.

With strong cultural ties to sporting and music scenes, today a talented in-house design team have bought a catwalk edge to each collection. Led by the limited distributed Laurel range, collaborations continue with Raf Simons re-inventing timeless Perry classics while Blank Canvas - a collection currated by new fashion talent including Peter Jensen and Ann-Sofie Back - encourages a rebellious streak at the core of the brand's values.

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