In search of Vogue

“You are well oiled; as normal!” Ann hissed, as she tried to keep her anger under control, and hidden away from the peering eyes of the guests. Trying desperately to prevent any outward telling signs like the tightening of her jaw and any other fascial expressions of annoyance. She had to keep everything under control and avoid any taletelling signs to the rest of the champagne swilling guests, celebrating the launch of their new shop named Bizarre on Carnaby Street, London. She came from a staunch Welsh mining legacy, famous for their singing. Choirs of Welsh miners with angelic sounding voices, expressing themselves as well as becoming well-oiled. Quenching their dry throats after a shift at the dusty black coalface, Ann had witnessed it all, but this was too close to home, too close to her private world. She personally could not abide Roger’s behaviour, she hated Roger’s continued over-indulgence, and his never-ending wandering eye.

We are married, for heaven’s sake. Ann thought angrily.

“Don’t embarrass yourself, or ME! Remember in this company you are on show!” She continued to try to reprimand Roger in full view of the guests at their new style fashion shop in a new trendy part of London, still within walking distance of Oxford Circus, and the more traditional stores.

Ann looked like the quintessential child of the 60’s, although it was still the sixth decade of the twentieth century; the eve of the 1960’s was some years away. Her hair design was the new vogue; her coiffure was an elegant French cut both back and front. With the latest, modern angelic like fringe framing, the face of most famous and revolutionary fashion designer of the modern era.

She was to fashion, as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was to music, she was a child ahead of her time. A genius designer, who’s new style would sweep the world and revolutionize clothes for the modern woman. In 1955 woman didn’t know it yet, but Ann would create a new range of clothes that would fit the modern feminine lifestyle. A modern woman no longer handcuffed to the kitchen, and subservient to men. An independent working woman, with career aspirations as well as taking care of the home, were now the normal female gender rights of the post war society. With clothes style to match, for this new woman of equality the clothes style would be called the mini skirt, named after another revolutionary automobile, made in the same era. The mini car with a transverse engine powering the front axle, instead of the rear axle. A midget of vehicle, but nonetheless an affordable automobile; made for the people, or perhaps another fashion statement for the modern girl about town. Certainly, it was built for the modern populace, a small economy vehicle, a perfect fit for a modern woman going about her busy day.

This was the aftermath of WW2, the revolution and legacy of a generation which would later be named - “baby boomers”

“But I’m socializing; my darling Ann, connecting with the right sort for our budding business empire; old fruit.” Roger smiled sardonically.

“Does socializing mean ogling at any shapely legs or peering down any available woman’s cleavage? Ann spat out.

“You must mingle my dear love. I only see you fraternizing with Bruce, remember darling he’s family. Seeking solace with Bruce, is certainly, not going to garner support of our little venture, and it won’t pay the bills sweetheart.” He replied, not looking at Ann, but at the same time raising his nearly empty glass and saluting at a lavishly well-dressed lady. The lady winked back salaciously at Roger, knowing it would provoke Ann.

“I must go my sweetheart, my glass needs a refill, and my audience and fans await, old fruit!”

Roger was eager, desperate to avoid further cornering by Ann with yet another lecture on his bad habits.

“Yes, Bruce is family, not like the rest. They are all vultures looking for titbits, trying to get some ideas on our plans. They are plagiarists! Trying to copy. So, make sure you keep that brain in gear, and the tongue in reverse. Understand? And that happy dick of yours safely tucked inside your pants!” Ann hissed between tight lips.

Ann and Roger had come a long way since their London art college days, both students dreaming about the future, the new world, before Ann’s art and designs would one day revolutionize the fashion world. They both shared a vision, not only about clothes, but they also both hungered to be architects of a new world based on their artistic aspirations. Ann had fought with her parents for years, as her deep passion was clothes fashion. Her parents were both schoolteachers who had graduated from the slave labour of a Welsh mining community. They wanted their bright daughter to get a trusted degree in art and follow in their path as a teacher.

Roger came from a different trajectory compared to Ann. From Irish descent, his father was a professional singer, and his life was a continual movement to the locations of his father’s work. He grew up in a gypsy style life, always on the move, missing out on a lot of school. As an only child, Roger grew up in adult world, a theatrical world, as his mother was also a part-time performer. Roger was spoilt child, as in the eyes of his mother, he could do nothing wrong. He was blessed with fair wavey hair, full of curls when he was a small child, and had always been attractive to the ladies. So, he grew up with a strong sense of overwhelming love from not only his mother, but from other glamorous ladies from the world of the theatre. It created in Roger a natural charming confident air, with bags of self-assurance and when he was in the company of good-looking woman; he flourished.

The drinking habit came later in life, probably from the origins his Irish ancestry with their happy gregarious spirit. The Forbes-Blau name comes from the region around the town of Leinster, west of Dublin, and the drinking habit is handed down by Irish working-class culture, generations of Forbes-Blau. But it didn’t appear in the daily habits of Roger, until he attended art college in London. The same art college as Ann, where Roger and Ann met, and fell instantly in love.

Although their love was fleeting, their respect for each other would be the rock bed of a successful business empire, and beyond any of their college wildest dreams. In those early days at the art college, their love was idyllic, perfect, but unfortunately, impossible to last. At the time both were showing each other their best sides, and their worst sides were hidden; yet to appear. Thankfully, it was their shared vision of art and design, their outward egos which sought to show and impress a new fashion style, which was nicknamed “mod”.

Mod fashion emerged as part of the mod subculture, which began in London and was heavily influenced by modern jazz music and later pop music, but essentially it was the desire for young people to express themselves through style. The term "mod" is derived from "modernist," reflecting the innovative and forward-thinking nature of this movement. Mods were known for their stylish appearance, often wearing tailored suits and riding scooters, which became iconic symbols of the subculture. Mod culture entered every facet of life; it wasn’t just a fashion culture. Nonetheless, Roger and Ann wanted to lead and influence people by their clothes style and new designs.

In some ways the instant attraction, the fleeting love affair between Ann and Roger was insignificant compared to their business partnership, and they were both clever and intelligent enough to know their overall partnership come relationship didn’t have enough room or time for the sensitivities and privacy that love demands. It was the mutual respect for each other’s talents which would underpin their marriage and relationship longer than love and Roger’s continued infidelity.

However, Ann had to put down some ground rules to safeguard her continued broken heart and avoid any form of hatred, negativity, such as depression or loneliness caused by Roger’s over excessive drinking, and his lecherous polygamous affairs with other woman.

“How do you put up with that drunken lecherous sod!” Bruce whispered to Ann.

“Be selfish in love! I learned a long time ago to protect myself first. Protect my heart from his misadventures. I love him, and yet I hate him. I know he eventually comes back to his Ann, when he either sobers up or the latest fancy conquest kicks him out on the street.” Ann replied and then paused for thought.

“Isn’t that what love is all about? We are a mod couple, within this new free love age of Aquarius society.” Ann said sarcastically

“He’s an idiot to continue to treat you with so much disrespect.” Bruce said with utter disgust.

“Love is for purist. A lasting relationship only remains with a mutual arrangement, an understanding. Don’t you think, that’s what maintains the relationship through all the shit!” Ann said, venting her emotions.

“Rather you than I” Replied Bruce.

“Part of that arrangement is we have never shared an apartment; he has his on the South Bank, and I have mine in Woolwich. I never see him coming home from his misadventures. Out of sight out of mind!” Ann confessed.

“Well as the most photographed couple in London, with all your fashion followers, you need to keep those secrets hidden, away from those prying lenses of photojournalists.” Bruce concluded.

*****

Ann and Roger never divorced, they were married until Roger died from liver poisoning. They shared an only son, Orlando. He wasn’t born until 1971, when Ann was in her forties. When asked why she had never conceived earlier, since their marriage in 1955, and surprisingly after eighteen years of marriage, when Ann was at the wrong side of her forties. She replied that both she and Roger had been too busy creating their fashion and clothing business empire.

Love is the catalyst, respect the glue, trust comes later with experience, if you are fortunate.