In Fashion

by Louisa Adjoa Parker (Weymouth)

In the 1950s, his parents arrive from India, standing out like sore thumbs. His father works hard, selling haberdashery. Turns up at remote cottages in his turban, with a suitcase full of bits and bobs. Sometimes doors get slammed in his father’s face.

As a young man, he works on market stalls. He sells bright-coloured clothes, flattering women with banter and easy smiles. He goes away to university, keeps his head in the books, while other students stumble into lectures smelling of booze.

A few years later, he and his wife ask his parents for a loan. He’s worked hard, they’re happy to help. They lend the newly-married, hopeful couple the sum of £5000 to start their own business. In 1969, he steps over the threshold of his first shop.

He works hard, and the business grows, spreads like wildfire. Soon, the high street fashion stores are popping up like mushrooms all over England and abroad. It becomes a household name. Each shop glitters with beautiful clothes and bright lights.

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What Louisa Adjoa Parker says about In Fashion:

Inspired by talking to a few local people who told me that the founder of the fashion chain store New Look was an Asian man called Tom Singh from Weymouth. I hadn’t heard this local story and was fascinated to think it’s not known widely. I imagine his family may have experienced some difficulties, due to the low numbers of ethnic minority people in rural areas at the time.