SEX

With the recent death of punk ‘inventor’ Malcolm McLaren, it has made me think of the importance his “Sex” Shop had on the punk movement, and whether such a clothing boutique exists today. Sex, arguably the birthplace of punk was vital for the movement. It did more than just provide the punk uniform, it was a place in which people would meet, bands would form, and music would be created. Famously, Johnny Rotten was auditioned on the shop floor, and Siouxsie Sioux and Adam Ant were regular customers. 
Although Rotten has played down the importance of McLaren in the punk movement, since “The Great Rock’n’Roll Swindle’ which tells the story of the sex pistols from Mclaren’s point of view. In this, he claims to have created the sex pistols, and have been the master puppeteer who controlled the punk scene. Whether or not his significance in the movement was exaggerated in the film, his and his store’s importance is undeniable. This has made me question whether or not such a store could exist and influence as much today in London. One of the key factors to the boutique’s success was its shock factor. It wasn’t just the 4ft pink foam rubber letters reading “SEX” outside the store, or even the graffiti filled interior marked by S.C.U.M manifestos and chicken wire that people found so thrilling, but the music it created and promoted. 
The buzz of going to the store was part of its success. This has made me question how important a part clothing stores have played in music. Although in the past they have been places in which new sounds and fashions have been born (for example, Biba, Hyper Hyper), it is unlikely that a store could have as much impact today. As indie, alternative and even punk music has become the norm, its clothing too has become less shocking than it was. Although, I am not saying that fashion has no shock factor anymore, it is unlikely that a store would be able to uphold a music scene as strongly as it did.