Carnaby Street’s 50th! ‘Love’ festival celebrations

Published: 11 June, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

THE capital’s youth tribes – and some of their founding fathers – were out in force at the weekend to celebrate 50 years of Carnaby Street.

A mini “summer of love” festival was staged to revive some of the music and fashion crazes that had their origins in and around the now iconic street. 

Highlights included a show-stopping performance from the cast of HAIR the musical (pictured on page 1), a line-up of scooters to rival the Quadrophenia jaunt to Brighton, and emerging solo artist Sophia Delila, who wowed the Liberty stage.

The street’s reputation was forged as the birthplace of modern pop and British fashion at the start of the 1960s when entrepreneur John Stephens saw its potential and opened up a number of tailoring boutiques, which drew in many musicians.