‘La Rocka!’ – Black Leather Trench Coat

Items 136 :

Serial number : N/A
Condition : Excellent, 2 x popper buttons need re-siting
Includes : AW letter of authentication
Manufactured by : La Rocka!

: General information :
Black leather trench coat, with belt and skull & crossbones buttons In 1967, Lloyd Johnson opened his first shop in Kensington Market, London named ‘The Heavy Metal Kids’ selling velvet jeans and leather jackets. This modest start attracted the more adventurous customers in The Kensington Market at that time. He continued to sell vintage clothing throughout the 70s and 80s when a new shop was opened – ‘Johnsons the Modern Outfitters’ at 406 Kings Road in Chelsea, an area that was very popular in the ‘60s. Vivienne Westwood & Malcolm McLaren had opened a shop a few years earlier in the same area. Lloyd was making ‘40s, ‘50s & ‘60s inspired clothing and was subsequently asked to design ‘Mod’ clothing for The Who’s film ‘Quadophenia’. Sting & Phil Daniels’ clothes were made by ‘Johnsons’ and news quickly spread. The shop’s décor appeared to be that of a classic Victorian mens outfitters but when you explored the basement, it was a different matter. Fake cobwebs hung from the ceiling and an erie Victorian barber’s chair stood in the corner for those who dared to try on the rock ‘n’ roll footwear. A lot of new bands were being formed and the overspill from the New York scene were moving to London. It was a happening place again. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, Stiv Bators & many more arrived to combat the music establishment, reinforcements for The Sex Pistols and The Clash who were the new generation of British punk rockers claiming the rock ‘n’ roll high ground. They were all to become ‘La Rocka!’ Customers. In 1979, it was decided to start a rock ‘n’ roll label/brand and ‘La Rocka!’ was born. A small range of black leather jackets, leather jeans, black cotton jeans, jean jackets & biker boots were added to the constantly changing stock. The new shop established, it was decided to expand and redecorate the existing shop in Kensington Market where more rocker-inspired items were added to the already substantial range…printed shirts, tattoo knits, skull & crossbone knits, mohair sweaters, heavy weight sweaters and some more leather jackets… but with a difference. They printed, painted and studded the jackets, and the customers loved them. George Michael, Alice Cooper, Dave Stewart & Annie Lennox all bought them. George Michael wore both of his jackets in his videos with Aretha Franklin.

: General information :

Black leather trench coat, with belt and skull & crossbones buttons

In 1967, Lloyd Johnson opened his first shop in Kensington Market, London named ‘The Heavy Metal Kids’ selling velvet jeans and leather jackets. This modest start attracted the more adventurous customers in The Kensington Market at that time.
He continued to sell vintage clothing throughout the 70s and 80s when a new shop was opened – ‘Johnsons the Modern Outfitters’ at 406 Kings Road in Chelsea, an area that was very popular in the ‘60s. Vivienne Westwood & Malcolm McLaren had opened a shop a few years earlier in the same area.

Lloyd was making ‘40s, ‘50s & ‘60s inspired clothing and was subsequently asked to design ‘Mod’ clothing for The Who’s film ‘Quadophenia’. Sting & Phil Daniels’ clothes were made by ‘Johnsons’ and news quickly spread. The shop’s décor appeared to be that of a classic Victorian mens outfitters but when you explored the basement, it was a different matter. Fake cobwebs hung from the ceiling and an erie Victorian barber’s chair stood in the corner for those who dared to try on the rock ‘n’ roll footwear. A lot of new bands were being formed and the overspill from the New York scene were moving to London. It was a happening place again. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, Stiv Bators & many more arrived to combat the music establishment, reinforcements for The Sex Pistols and The Clash who were the new generation of British punk rockers claiming the rock ‘n’ roll high ground. They were all to become ‘La Rocka!’ Customers.

In 1979, it was decided to start a rock ‘n’ roll label/brand and ‘La Rocka!’ was born. A small range of black leather jackets, leather jeans, black cotton jeans, jean jackets & biker boots were added to the constantly changing stock.

The new shop established, it was decided to expand and redecorate the existing shop in Kensington Market where more rocker-inspired items were added to the already substantial range…printed shirts, tattoo knits, skull & crossbone knits, mohair sweaters, heavy weight sweaters and some more leather jackets… but with a difference. They printed, painted and studded the jackets, and the customers loved them. George Michael, Alice Cooper, Dave Stewart & Annie Lennox all bought them. George Michael wore both of his jackets in his videos with Aretha Franklin.

: Alan's comments :
“This coat was bought from the well known ‘Johnsons’ shop in Kensington Market, I think in the late 80s or early 90s. It was the same shop that Dave had taken me to many years before, around 1982, in order to kit me out in my first Mode suits as seen during the ‘See You’ period.”