It's that Overgate sculpture again!
You may recall I put a couple of pictures up on Retro last month of the same piece of work, but because those photos were taken in the mid 80's, the structure was a bit drab looking and the surrounding shops nearing the end of their lives.
Well in comparison, here's what it was like when it was still kinda fresh - the artwork being put to good use by wee Leigh and co back in 1973.
The b & w shot below them was also taken in the mid 70's and shows the whole structure..
Although it's the work of Dundee artist, Iain Eadie, there's a hint of Ben Nicholson about the design!
According to my 1974 Dundee Directory, the name of the shop in the background was Brentford Nylons - but as you can see, it's actually just Brentfords. The company was technically called Brentford Nylons, so not sure why Dundee ended up with a shortened shop name.
Their slogan at the time was "Quality With A Conscience" - which makes it sound like you'd end up feeling guilty if you bought one of their expensive blouses!
Photos from Leigh, via Marky.
ah but we DID have a brentford Nylons shoppie.. I mind o it as a wee lassie as id play in it :) Its now a phone shop or something, used to be almost next to the auld woolies ( tescos express ) There was a wee alleyway in between, where that jd sports ( wi the escalator) is now. and in the alley was a haberdasher shop, that was tiny and aye mobbed.yer mother woould go get ribbons for yer hair or a scrap o material to make a dress. and id fill my time amusing myself looking at bright turquoise Bri Nylon sheets ! and net curtains kinda malarky !
ReplyDeleteLesley G.
Sleeping between two Brentford Nylons Bri-Nylon sheets was more akin to sleeping between two thunderstorms - pure static every time you moved.
ReplyDeleteThe Dundee shop was as nothing compared to their HQ in Brentford, which in their very early days probably received more visitors than Mecca.
Re Mecca. Is that the religious place in the Middle East, the Bingo, or Brown Street at Friday dinnertime?
ReplyDeleteDespite that 'play area' being fairly grime-free compared to its latter days, I'm still not convinced would pass today's stringent Health & Safety guidelines. Those wee knees could be in for a nasty scrape if they're not careful. Ah, 70s kids -- made of sterner stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the scowl on the face of the passing boy-with-pram...he looks like someone who could do with getting away from the tedium of shopping for 5 minutes on a concrete monstrosity...
The Bingo - obviously!
ReplyDeleteI am sure the firm Pippa dee was part o the brentfords chain too. all bri nylon underwear and such like.The mothers back then would go to house parties,the way folks have anne summers now.. come to think o it, anne summers is probably another reincarnation..bri-nylon knickers and such like.. I see a pattern emerging here,, and its making me itch !
ReplyDeletelesley g.
Brushed nylon sheets and rough toenails.....aaaarrrrggggg
ReplyDeleteToday's Overgate markets itself as a retail destination where fashion-conscious young people can browse through designer outlets between skinny lattes. Overgate Shopping Centre Mark 1 had Brentford Nylons, Norval Fabrics, the RAF and Royal Navy careers offices, and the gas board showroom! Sexy or what?
ReplyDeletethe very R.A.F place i first signed up in !! My ambition was to join the Nursing Service o the RAF .. Ya had to be 17 and 3/4 to officially sign up.. So i took a pretty decent job in Valentines. then got rejected :) back in the day any connection with the Communist perty made ya persona non grata with the forces.! ( chuckle) dammit.
ReplyDeletelesley g.