I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet
I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet was a clothing boutique which achieved fame in 1960s "Swinging London" by promoting antique military uniforms as fashion items.
I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet was opened by Ian Fisk and John Paul at 293 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, in 1966. Among the shop's customers were Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix.
Paul opened a new branch of Kitchener's in Foubert's Place, off Carnaby street, selling militaria and Swinging London novelty items.
In 1967 two more Kitchener's outlets opened on Carnaby Street and Wardour Street, and later expanded to sites in Piccadilly Circus and then King's Road (where the shop was named I Was Lord Kitchener's Thing).
In the summer of 1967, Fisk and Paul dissolved their partnership. Fisk took sole ownership of the premises, which became the Injun Dog head-shop (subtitled Once I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet).
The Kitchener's outlet in Carnaby Street closed its doors in 1977, but is still remembered as an important Swinging Sixties boutique.
References
Robert Orbach* Mod era shirt and the original shop sign from I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of London. Accessed June 2008
- I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet at Nicola's vintage Boutique . March 6, 2007. Accessed June 2008
- Transcript of an interview with Robert Orbach recorded in February 2006. Victoria and Albert Museum. Accessed August 2009
Coordinates: 51°31′8.6″N 0°12′27.7″W / 51.519056°N 0.207694°W