A New Dress Code in Germany

In the 2006 movie This is England, a young aspiring skinhead drags his mother to the local shop to be outfitted in the standard “uniform”- Doc Martin boots, tight black Levis, red suspenders, and a Fred Perry polo shirt. The latter of these brands, Fred Perry, has recently come under fire by the German government for being part of the current dress code for right-wing extremists and Neo- Nazis, which has resulted in Berlin’s police officers being warned about, and in some cases banned from wearing, the eponymous label. In addition to Fred Perry, officers seen wearing Ben Sherman, Lonsdale, and Alpha Industries labels (among others) may face disciplinary action by the German government. The labels themselves, in an attempt to disassociate themselves with such extreme ideologies, have sought to limit where their brands are sold and have spoken publicly condemning their connection to such groups.

However, The Fred Perry-skinhead connection goes far beyond contemporary Germany. It’s roots can be found in England, over thirty years ago, where young men in the mod, ska, and rude boy scene took up Perry’s laurel wreath logo as their emblem, the brand’s laurel wreath becoming a symbol signifying pride and membership in that subculture. When the Skinhead subculture split into those who were mostly into the music and fashion aspects of the scene, and those with right wing views towards race and politics, Fred Perry was appropriated by the latter. Now in this second wave of bad brand association, Fred Perry must  continue finding new ways to overcome the nefarious connections it has inadvertently acquired.

[via WWD]

- Contributed by Laura Feinstein