Monday, May 18, 2009

Jeans, Memphis... Why?

Well, Jeans Story in the Strangers' world is quite different from OTL. Indigo-colored cotton cloth (denim) has conquered Europe in early Fifties. The mastermind behind its success is Yves Saint Laurent, who displayed his 'classe ouvrière' collection at the Paris Fashion Week, spring 1952. Despite their obvious working-class connection, jeans for years were a part of Haute couture and only in the Sixties finally found their way into the middle-class wardrobe. Both Eva and Mark wear jeans on various occasions.
Memphis is one of the oldest cigarette brands in Europe. First imported to Austro-Hungary from Egypt, Memphis cigarettes were produced locally after the Great War - not only in Austria but also in other parts of Central Europe. Not a de luxe brand any more but still a strong and tasty Oriental blend. Mark's favorite.
Btw, original Memphis has nothing to do with Memphis, Tennessee. It is named after the ancient capital of Lower Egypt.

Photo by joacigpacks, on Flickr

1 comment:

  1. John Frankenheimer's film Grand Prix 1966, opens with Francoise Hardy on the beach wearing denim jacket and jeans.
    I went straight to a menswear store
    (the only source for 'work' clothes)
    the next day and bought fly-front Levis
    (my family was shocked)
    which were 52/6, the same price as an LP record.

    I got here by clicking on Chris Farlowe in my profile.

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