There’s a lot of history at 430 King’s Road in London’s Chelsea district. These rare t-shirts are just a few of the many designs that originated from the various incarnations of the address in the 1970s.
Before the history lesson begins you might be interested to know that the extremely rare vintage t-shirts above (and many others) are currently up for auction by a single seller who purchased them all first hand.
In 1971 the King’s Road location was known as Paradise Garage and future Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and partner Patrick Casey manned a little rock memorabilia stand located in the back of the store. When the owners of Paradise got evicted McLaren and Casey took over the entire venue and named it Let it Rock expanding their inventory with clothing that was designed by McLaren’s school teacher girlfriend Vivienne Westwood.
In 1972 the shop was re-named Too Fast To Live, To Young to Die and focused on early 1960s rock culture and fashion. This incarnation’s moniker was self-fulfilling prophecy – not even two years later it was no longer living. McLaren and Westwood decided to close up shop because of thievery and threats from the infamous Teddy Boy gang.
In 1974 the shop was gutted, renovated and re-opened under the name SEX. The store specialized in fetish and bondage gear as well as numerous t-shirt designs that caused an uproar by depicting Taboo sexual imagery, ie gay cowboys – think Brokeback three decades ago.
In 1975 McLaren began to manage a band called The Strand that would become the Sex Pistols and Johnny Rotten actually auditioned for the band in the store. Shortly after the shop was once again re-named Seditionaries and the inventory reflected the surging popularity of the Sex Pistols who were decked out in designer Seds duds from the get-go. And with Sid Vicious reportedly banking hours as an employee, shoplifting was most likely at an all time low.
McLaren and Westwood’s relationship eventually deteriorated, they split and closed the store in September of 1980. In 1981 the venue underwent its final make-over and began operating as World’s End. The location is still in operation and the amazingly the name seems has survived two decades and appears to have stuck. The once mom and pop operation is now in the hands of their son, Joe Corre.
How fitting the once controversial shirts have continued to cause a stir in modern times. In 2008 it was revealed that massive amounts of counterfeit Seds clothing had changed hands and even duped museum experts. A battle between McClaren and the alleged distributor of the fakes ensued and was documented by numerous fashion blogs. Check out our comments section for the full scoop.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Those are some amazing, extremely rare items up on the auction block! Wow.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I liked the history lesson! What a cool story, especially with the Vivienne Westwood connection. Seems like everybody who passed through there became famous…
September 10th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Oi James! Cool shirts. I’ve still got my original Vive Le Rock from late 70’s. All faded out with sleeves hacked off. It’s gonna soon be framed and on my basement wall good memories….
September 12th, 2009 at 10:54 am
NIce article. I think those shirts sold for a bargain.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:39 am
thse shirts sold on ebay were fakes, so they were not a bargin for some one
http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Fraud-suspect-denies-eBay-conspiracy.5576633.jp
September 24th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hi there -
Thanks for the article link, interesting. But these shirts were sold after the fact – on September 12 2009 – the article highlights arrests made last year for activity from 2003 up until June of this year. Surely whom ever was involved would have ceased and desisted the activity by now.
This particular eBayer still has an active account, which would have been suspended by eBay if this claim is correct, especially given the sensitive newsworthy subject matter.
So I will have to politely disagree with you.
Plus I tried to email you directly with the address you provided on your post…and it’s not legit.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am
And the one bottom left isn’t even a design from 430 King’s Road; just a “punk” cash-in lash up job.
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Lots more info on seds fakes, so be careful out there:
http://www.selectism.com/news/2008/08/18/the-selling-of-fake-seditionaries/
http://www.hintmag.com/blog/2008/07/plot-thickensmore-on-malcolm-mclaren.html
February 26th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
eeeeek! I’d hyperventilate if I found one of these at the thriftstore.. so rad.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:11 am
I have an original BOY Cowboys T shirt..but not to sure on the value?..it a cheesecloth one..with D rings.from the early 80’s..Anyone have any idea?..thx
March 11th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Are you the same person who just posted in the forum:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330412950517&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
?
May 25th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
can i know single seller who purchased them all first hand seditionaries that up for auction currently?
August 10th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I have also been searching but cannot for the life of me find any information about my “God save the queen” (BOY)cheesecloth. Its in near perfect condition having only been worn 3 times. I also have a pair of (BOY) red bondage trousers that have been worn as much as the shirt. Any of you guys have any info? cheers
)