Part 2 - C.P. Company x
("Eyes On The City" - Welcome To The North") x
Bologna's Massimo Osti (R.I.P.) has left behind such a prominent cornerstone, that 16 years after The Godfather of The Casual Scene's untimely death, he has been phenomenally recognised by the Doyen of Darwen;
(birthplace of professional football)
- Stupendous brand consultant/designer Gary Aspden, of Adidas/Adidas Spezial fame.
Gary has yet again, beautifully curated another marvellous exhibition; this time in the fabulous form of "Cinquanta" - a 50th year anniversary/retrospective celebration of C.P. (Chester Perry, 1971) Company (1974), its glorious heritage/archives and its superbly heavyweight collaboration with Adidas Spezial.
This is part of a proud recognition within the British Textile Biennial and also namely supports a truly vital cause, via Nightsafe, a special local charity, of which Gary is a proud Ambassador and which is strongly involved with youth homelessness.
(Previous Spezial exhibition appearances have included Vicky McClure, Shaun Ryder, Bez, Rowetta, Ian Brown, Mani, Goldie, Patrick Vieira, Dynamo, cult-classic photographer Jacqui McAssey, subcultured artist Jamie Holman et al, whilst Don Letts, Bobby Gillespie, the Gallagher brothers, Stephen Graham et al have been part of fiercely essential projects).
Rewind 50 years to 1971, to where it all began with C.P. Company and you will find everything about the hugely iconic/innovative label, as fascinatingly detailed, as the actual clothing itself.
The pioneering name itself is derived from a British cartoon called Bristow, which is the longest running in print. The exasperated protagonist works at "Chester Perry" HQ, founded by "Sir Reginald Chester Perry", hence the unique name for the apparel.
Massimo Osti's (R.I.P.) unique usage of fabrics/the dyeing process were the first ever of their kind and are still way ahead of their time.
That's what made/makes the usage of fabrics/the colouring process, so uniquely prominent in their style, as no garment that came/comes into existence was/is pre-dyed.
In 1978, Chester Perry became C.P. Company, due to a legal wrangle with Fred Perry over the name.
The new name was deemed as far more sophisticated, within the intellectually artistic firmament of the fashion world and more than likely propelled them further in the maturer demographics.
This was further recognised when fabrics, dyes, military, defense, graft, technology, research, exploration, urban treatment and sportswear's influence came into full bloom, within the brand's philosophy.
Fitted goggles (anti-gas) and lenses (time viewers) came into fruition, in the late 80's.
These powerful features are mightily inspired by global forces attire and 1920's racewear.
Major reasons for having had such a massive impact on the soaring popularity of C.P. Company within the Casual Scene, ever since. x
(NB - Painted by mural artist Peter Barber/commissioned by Adidas/based on a shot by legendary photographer Kevin Cummins, the giant depiction in Darwen, of Manchester United player and Adidas Ambassador, Luke Shaw, can be seen representing a C.P. Company X Spezial capsule piece). x