Cliff Ton 10,008 Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 When did Birdcage first open? I'd guess some time around 67 or 68. What I remember is that it was the first shop I knew in Nottingham which used the word "Boutique" to describe itself. Until then, that was a word which was only used in places like Carnaby Street or King's Road Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jowen32 0 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 The clothes were often made in the back of Birdcage in the early days, and boutique was indeed a new fangled word to describe a ladies clothes shop that was 'trendy'. I forced my poor Mother to buy me a confirmation dress from Birdcage - 'Its white - whats your problem Mum?', I was 15 and horrified that she was insisting I got confirmed! I didn't want to shop in anything that wasn't called a boutique because that was where my Mother would shop! I was a right little madam! Jeanettes on King St was very popular for your 'drawers', my Mother would go to Johnstones or the very wonderful 'Phone-a-Bra'on Melton Rd WB which sadly left us only recently. My poor Mother! It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Sir Paul had an involvement, does anyone remember 'Peru' just down Bridlesmith Gate approx where the Tokenhouse is now? A beautiful young woman called Zena seemed to run it, this was approx 73. Fantastic clothes. Pennyfeathers was owned by a chap called Mike Benwell along with his wife Shirley. Then became Gladrags/Backstage on Clinton St(?) opposite Boots in the Vic Centre. Pennyfeathers was unique and paved the way for our own lovely Celia and the gorgeous Golden Cage. Will ask around about what Sir Pauls involvement was with Birdcage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,008 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 How it looked in the early 70s. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jowen32 0 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Thank you for your ferreting Cliff Ton! What is all the rubbish on the front? I remember the name of the boutique on Goldsmith St next door to Paraphernalia, it was Grapevine. I'm really hoping someone remembers them so I didn't think I had a fashion related dream from the 70's! Trouble with a lot of these independent fashion shops is they were here today.....gone tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
susyshoes 69 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 trying to think which shop is where Birdcage was. is it Coast? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
susyshoes 69 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 there was a shop on the upper mall of victoria centre when it first opened. i cant for the life of me remember what it was called. was on the left as you walked towards the bus station about half way down. got some amazing high waisted pale blue trousers that must have been 3 feet wide with stitched in seams, six buttons on the very high waistband and a bowling shirt from there (i was a bit of a tomboy). can anyone remember what it was called? Must have been 1973ish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jowen32 0 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 It is Coast now. The shop wasn't the door-less unit called 'I'll Leave It'? Jeffs used to be on the top floor I think, were you a tomboy who wore boys clothes! I know I had some boys sta-prest from there in a two tone greeny colour and a Ben Sherman shirt - this was during my very brief skinhead (clothes only) phase which was also put an early stop to by my long suffering parents! Do you remember 'Campus' on Victoria Street? Opposite Jesse Boots old place which used to be the Victoria Club. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
susyshoes 69 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 no dont remember Campus, and yes i think it was called 'I'll leave it' although i cant remember it being called that. I was a tomboy who wore boys clothes when i was 12/13 but got a little more feminine as i grew up and noticed boys!!! I wore 'Barters' for my school shoes, had a black smock coat with an orange checked yoke - remember those? they were the more feminine type of crombie. Had a couple of pairs of 'Sta-prest', snot green (as we called them) and black. Never had the checked Ben Sherman though, just a nice pale lemon one! haha oh dear, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hippo girl 1,995 Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I remember campus, they had a shop in oxford as well....bought Jeff Banks and Mr Freedom clothes from there....what about Sonia Beaumont and Roxy, both in hockley ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
susyshoes 69 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 ooh yes, sonia beaumont. bit too posh for me but i remember that well - on the corner if i remember rightly? not sure i remember Roxy - was it known as Roxy Threads? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hippo girl 1,995 Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Sonia was on heathcote street and made great leather dresses... Roxy threads was just down from the George hotel , talking late 80's......campus I think became ziggys on Victoria street, bus stop became the first French connection in Nottingham and later aspecto Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,278 Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Roxys girly shop next door was Roxanne http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/title/roxy-rob/id/3825 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hippo girl 1,995 Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Thanks for that Red........ Didn't know his daughter had a shop.... Esther mIchailovs has Frocks on forest road..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chasper 0 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 I remember the Birdcage from the 70's. Downstairs was ladies/girls stuff and upstairs was blokes. I remember two of the guys who used to work there Greg Longdon and Tony Sulley, i played football with them first for Nottingham Jewish FC , we changed the name to Sparton Atheletic and played in the Sunday league. Happy days. Chas.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mudgie49 401 Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Madcap boutique,was on Carrington st,around 66,ladies clothing made on site,would make shirts for guys on request. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hippo girl 1,995 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Madcap is mentioned in another thread....was my favourite shop for individual designs... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gregp 0 Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 I remember the Birdcage from the 70's. Downstairs was ladies/girls stuff and upstairs was blokes. I remember two of the guys who used to work there Greg Longdon and Tony Sulley, i played football with them first for Nottingham Jewish FC , we changed the name to Sparton Atheletic and played in the Sunday league. Happy days. Chas.. Hi Chas,great days and not a bad side .Hope your keeping well.am still playing at 59 not bad for an old fart Rgds Greg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gregp 0 Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 OMG do i feel old......just spoken to a young girl in Flannels on Bridlesmith gate....she informs me that in the olden days there was a clothes shop nearby called Birdcage and the great Sir Paul Smith once worked there........... Hi Hippo girl,I used to work with Paul at the birdcage,My sister-in-law owned it.Paul was and still is a great guy fame and fortune not changed him one bitRgds Greg longdon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hippo girl 1,995 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Hi Gregp, the birdcage boutique was one of the most iconic shops that Nottingham has ever seen....I still have some of the clothes today but it's my daughter who wears them now.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maid Marion16 2 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 I remember Paul Smith's, and Birdcage very well, I shopped there all the time. Good times. There used to be another cool shop on the corner Bridlesmith gate and Poultry Lane , but I cant for the life of me remember the name, however, Bus Stop keeps flickering through my mind. Can anyone elaborate? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hippo girl 1,995 Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Lee Bender opened Bus stop on the Poultry .....She had the original one on Kensington high street and when I was at school. use to buy my clothes from there and Biba.The one in Nottingham didn't do so well and when it closed , it became French Connection........ Then aspecto...... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jackson 301 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Used to like taking a look around Nottingham's Boutiques and 'a look' it was only, for the prices in these places were extortionate - there again you were paying for the label / originality. PS: Once bought a purple lipstick and some coloured tights from 'Biba'; certainly made me feel good wearing them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,272 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Like Jackson, I could rarely afford to buy anything in Birdcage and the other boutiques. I spent most of my money in Chelsea Girl, Richards and C & A. I did splash out one time and got Paul Smith to make me a pair of beautiful navy trousers, with turn-ups. These were from his little shop in Byard Lane. I loved 'em !! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
katyjay 4,997 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Lizzie, you shopped where I shopped, they all had reasonable prices, when you were on a tight budget. I also shopped at Vicki's next to the big Co-op. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jackson 301 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 'Richards' sold quality clothes at quality prices. I remember I had a grey costume - matching skirt and jacket - from here and kept it as my best; always looked good with black, suede, winkle picker stilletos. My first costume from 'C&A Modes' was cut from black and white tweed material with black, mock leather decorating the collar of the jacket. Adored wearing this suit, lasted me for ages, up 'til today even - although I now see it in my mind's eye! 'Chelsea Girl' when it landed during the 70's, was like a breathe of fresh air on the high street: lots and lots of up-to-date fashions to choose from at incredibly reasonable prices. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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