Mad About the Boy – James opens Jeanette’s

Jeanette’s:
Entrance at Club Row
64-66 Redchurch Street
London E2 7DP

When James left Aberdeen, dreaming of David Bowie, frock coats, glittery heels and rainbows, I doubt that he ever thought his yellow brick road would lead him far away into a cockney Oz of homespun couture, friendly avant-garde art and collaborations with the best designers in London.

From Judy Blame’s safety pin bejewelled necklace glories, to archive Joe Casely-Hayford (another lovely man, I styled him once for an advertising shoot and he was adorable), to custom-designed pieces from the leading names in style: such as Richard Nicholl, Louise Gray and Noki, walking into Jeanette’s is like stepping into a warmly avant-garde wonderland, where neon coloured lights, shine tints of happiness over clothes you know you will cherish.  ‘Style’ columnist Jessie Brinton fell in love with a recessionista-busting rainbow dress of many colours: perfect for being fearlessly sunny in these grey times.

James has been a dear friend of mine for years: I met him through JJ (Dr. Noki) his fellow Aberdonian, revelling in their love of glam camp, wigs and  fierce frocks, I have often admired how so much colour, charm and grace came from somewhere as grey, macho and cold as Aberdeen!..

Jeanette’s brings together so many of James’ passions: from his glory days as Boombox’s door girl Jeanette, where he donned the most avant-garde creations by Giles or Gareth Pugh, to his work as a performer – how I loved the George Michael sketch the boys did at the Pop! party a few years ago – his blond shock of hair glowed in the pinkish twilight.  He is also one of the most stylish men I know, his own styling work is darkly fabulous: I think like me he loves an archly glamorous noirish woman.  Perhaps more importantly, he is charming, truly kind, when I lost the compere for my Afghanaid benefit the night before, James happily switched his schedule to dash down to Brighton and host the event.  Such rare mercurial charm warms people, they gravitate towards his caring demeanour.  He showed me the collections inside, I feel certain this enterprise, despite the recession, will do well, it has the right tone of glamour, accessibility and wow factor; while outside, fuelled by Rum and Reggae  an impro-glam street party mc-ed by Caron had us swaying and drinking (me on Vitamin water!) to his success

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