|
|
 |
| |
Kim Einhorn tries on one of the uniforms |
Closure fears for shop that made Army surplus trendy
Laurence Corner, where the Beatles, Jagger and Boy George bought outfits
LAURENCE Corner, the trend-setting Army surplus and costume shop in Euston, is closing following the death of its founder.
The popular shop is to remain open for just another week after the family of owner, Victor Jamilly, who died at Christmas, decided to sell the business.
Mr Jamilly, who was 79, established the Hampstead Road shop soon after the end of World War II. He had tried his hand at other businesses, including a launderette, but they all failed. Then he had the idea of buying up surplus clothing and equipment left over after VE Day.
His daughter, Kim Einhorn, says the family had decided reluctantly to close, as they do not have her father’s expertise to continue trading.
She said: “He had an eye for a deal. When he first set up the store, there were plenty of uniforms, demob suits, hats, coats and boots up for sale at bargain prices from government warehouses. Everything you can think of.”
Laurence Corner was born when Mr Jamilly bought a job lot of military coats. Over the years he equipped everyone from Everest expeditions to pop stars looking for trendy outfits to catch the eye.
Mrs Einhorn said: “There were not the camping shops there are now. The British Army had quality clothing and so explorers came to my dad to be kitted out.”
The range of items in the three-storey shop – about 4,000 outfits – is extraordinary. The original clothing that kept the footmen of the British Empire warm can be found hidden in dusty cupboards.
Items include Gurkha hats and puttees – the cloth infantrymen wound round their calves – and Edwardian policemen’s uniforms. Bombay bowlers sit in cupboards next to racks of swords, a Zulu warrior’s shield, nuclear warfare survival suits and fighter pilot jump suits. There is even a selection of Pink Panther outfits.
All are the result of Mr Jamilly’s eye for a bargain. Mrs Einhorn added: “He would buy things in large quantities, and often sell in bulk, too. He equipped the armies of a number of small countries with all sorts of clothing and equipment.”
Not every deal turned out as he would have liked. Once, a bulk stock of hymnals, handed out to soldiers to carry into battle, were up for sale.
Mrs Einhorn said: “He bought 500,000 of them, and then realised he hadn’t a clue how to move them on. He gave some to charities and the rest were put in a warehouse and rotted away.”
The Beatles would trawl the shop rails for the kind of uniforms they were to wear on the front cover of Sgt Pepper.
More recent pop stars who have been charmed by the Corner include Michael Jackson, while Boy George kitted out most of his 80s band Culture Club with Corner clothing. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, 80s Hollywood pin-up Daryl Hannah, The Who drummer Keith Moon and movie star Val Kilmer have all bought Corner outfits.
Mrs Einhorn added: “The collection dates back to the Victorian period. We have some really old clothes that are still in good condition. The items are well made. The British Army wore clothes that were superbly tailored. They last for ever.”
Mrs Einhorn would like her father’s stock to remain together, with a new owner taking on the business as a going concern. She said: “We really want someone to take it over as it is. The ideal scenario would be for someone who knows this type of business to take it on. If someone came in, we’d be delighted.” |
 |
|
|
|
