Tish 'Mortisha' Ascoli: Ol' Beatnik Artist, 'Shabby Duchess', quirky recluse, '80's Macabre clothing etc Designer, history now in the V and A Museum's vaults.

I was conceived, born and bred in London's West End...am now, regrettably, a Bohemian living in 'Subergatory'.

In my 'Past Life', early 80's, originally based in Carnaby Street W1, I designed and supplied pieces for the BBC, 'Hot Gossip', 'The Kenny Everett Show', 'The Two Ronnie's', 'Are you being Served', Joolz (poetess), George Bone ('tattooist'), Axel Krieger (photographer), the 90's V and A 'Street Style' and 80's exhibition, 'Siouxie Sioux and the Banshee's'- amongst many others!

Ancestors were (very!) fallen aristocrats, artists, poetesses, writers and theatricals. My Mother was an existential naturist 'Bluebell' and 'Windmill' girl, plus a glamorous Blackmarket 'queenie' of Bayswater during the War.

I belong to, and grew up in an era (now dead) amongst a decadent, free thinking ilk of 'do what thou wilt' intellectual Mother and family friends, consisting of Beatnik's, Sculptresses, Witches, Dancers, Circus acts, Jazz musicians (who played/jammed with Django Reinhardt) plus authentic, unpretentious Artists.

It was an existential bubble throughout the '50's and '60's, a Jean-Paul Satre/Jack Kerouac Beatnik world that doesn't exist anymore, which wouldn't work in this 21st century's self-obsessed 'All title, no content', world of reinvention/emulation. Today's mentality is totally different.

I adore and am a rescuer of Saluki hounds, love nature, animals (especially horses), history, to laugh, satire, the Macarbre, the Exotic, Argentinian Tango, antiques, 18th century farces, fascinated with the Circus, Swashbuckling Pirates, early Burlesque and the naughty bawdy 17th and 18th centuries!