Back to that "French seamstress"; regulahs will be bored to discover a name attached to these familiar photos, namely "Simone".
The jacket itself pops up again at Sotheby's NY in 1990 - John had given it to an assistant in 1970, who in turn sold it at the aforementioned auction (see above, right). Described as a "Pocket Coat", they weren't kidding, featuring as it does 10 pockets - and a lining of gold brocade, no less.
The "innaresting" thing though, is the label - "Simone//June '67". Which begs the questions, who and whither "Simone"? The catalogue is convinced that said Simone was a member of The Fool, but there was no-one of that name in the collective. There was, o' course, Simon Posthuma, and The Fool were resident at Kenwood painting John's piano when the above "fitting" photo was taken. So might the "French seamstress" actually be Marijke? No - unless everyone was joining John in swapping clothes with the gayest of abandons, then these (taken on the same day) are of two different people:
So, in conclusion, I dunno. On which note, belated Season's Gratings to all readahs.
very interesting! i don't know who this lady is, but i sure would have liked to be in her position! or not, considering i had just turned 16 at that time and was very shy. i knew i should have taken up sewing, like my best friend denise... i am going to write marijke and include this photo and see what she says. happy 2014 to everyone! rio de janeiro is going through the worst heatwave i have ever experienced in my 62 years. my next electricity bill will be a beauty, that i know... air conditioning running like crazy. take care, beatle people!
ReplyDeletemarijke just answered she has no idea who the lady is. a friend of mine said she always thought it was cynthia, and looking at the photo again it could well be. what do you all think?
DeleteI think it's probably not Cyn, as the contemporary captions agree that it is someone fitting John with a new coat. I still reckon it is this "Simone". If she was designing clothes for John, someone must know who she is/was.
ReplyDeletethe mystery lady: we'll find out sooner or later!
ReplyDeleteThe man modeling the jacket on the right is musician Stephen Bishop who I think bought it at that 1990 auction.
ReplyDelete