One of the original 'Dandy' Fishermen, Ian Lace ((left) - who features in the book - at its launch in conversation with author and artist Peter Wylie (right) on Mincarlo fishing boat, Quayside, Lowestoft, Saturday 8 June, 2024 © Paul Vater at Contemporary and Country
The book relates - often in their own words the accounts by former fisherman who worked out of Lowestoft and formed a sartorial movement in the early 1960s. Artist and author Peter Wylie, who is the son of a Lowestoft fisherman, has collaborated - on the new book with artist and designer Mike Abrahams.
The Dandies in question were not part of any other youth sub-culture other than that of being young fishermen, looking to distinguish themselves by what they wore. England was a dull, monochrome country, post second world war. In fishing ports like Lowestoft work was hard and life could be brutally short. As they returned home after days at sea, the men would spend their hard-earned cash on distinctive, tailored, vibrant suits, in bright colours, patterns and designs from Laurence Green tailors of Lowestoft.
The Dockside Dandies of Lowestoft. Three of the four Dandies lining up in their fantastic fashions are Steve Leach, Colin Bean and Ray Damerall. © Archant
The suits were handmade in colours ranging from lime green, vivid yellow to bright red or tartan - and because they were so distinctive the trend spread to young trawler-men at fishing ports in Hull, Grimsby and Fleetwood.
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The books have been bound in four different coloured covers, known by the fishermen as - Dutch Cheese, Pea Green, Pink Pink and Powder Blue to reflect some of the most desirable suit colours:
"intentionally recreating the selection of colour that the young fishermen made in Lawrence Green tailor's shop, located once on the High Street, as they flicked through the swatch books of coloured fabrics."
On Sunday, June 23, as part of the First Light Festival, the Dockside Dandies of Lowestoft will be discussed as Peter Wylie talks to Wayne Hemingway MBE - the prominent English designer and co-founder of Red or Dead - about the book and this moment in dockside fashion.
VIEW WORK BY PETER WYLIE
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About the author
Paul Vater
PAUL VATER
Paul conducts studio visits to maintain strong relationships with artists, designers and craftspeople who show their work with us. He manages the main C&C website and has developed the online shop where selected works are presented for sale.
Paul established his design company, Sugarfree, in 1990 and quickly gained a reputation for delivering fresh, effective marketing campaigns and brand identities for clients including Save the Children Fund, United Nations Association and UNHCR. Over the years those added to the roster include IPC Magazines, Arts Council England, The Roundhouse, Barbican Centre, Arts Marketing Association, Look Ahead Housing and Care, Paddington Waterside, BBC Worldwide, Commonwealth Foundation, Prestel, City of London Corporation, Baker Street Quarter, Victoria BID and the University of East Anglia.