Dressing gown, c1960-66
Michael Fish for Turnbull & Asser
silk
From the early days at Turnbull & Asser, Michael Fish attracted celebrity customers. This dressing gown was made for Noël Coward, a gift from his friend Vivien Leigh with 'Noëlie' affectionately embroidered on the pocket.
Over his career, Fish dressed some of the most famous people in the world, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Jimi Hendrix, Pablo Picasso, Mick Jagger, Sammy Davis Junior, The Beatles, and Jon Pertwee as Doctor Who.
Born in Wood Green, north London, to parents he described as 'very ordinary', Fish started his career at 15, cleaning countertops in a West End department store. He worked his way up to become a shirt maker for gentlemen's outfitter Turnbull & Asser, where he was valued for his distinctive flair. His own boutique opened in Mayfair in 1966, funded by Barry Sainsbury.*
From the exhibition
Fashion City
(October 2023 – July 2024)
How Jewish Londoners shaped global style
For the first time, this exhibition uncovered the major contribution of Jewish designers in making London an iconic fashion city.
Fashion City shone a light on the Jewish fashion makers who became leaders in their industries and founded retail chains still on the high street today. And also dressed the rich and famous: David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger – to name just a few.
Key industry figures were featured, like wedding dress designer Netty Spiegel, milliner Otto Lucas, the iconic Mr Fish and legendary David Sassoon. These stories were brought to life by fashion and textiles, oral histories, objects and photography
[*London Museum]
Taken at Museum of London Docklands
Dressing gown, c1960-66
Michael Fish for Turnbull & Asser
silk
From the early days at Turnbull & Asser, Michael Fish attracted celebrity customers. This dressing gown was made for Noël Coward, a gift from his friend Vivien Leigh with 'Noëlie' affectionately embroidered on the pocket.
Over his career, Fish dressed some of the most famous people in the world, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Jimi Hendrix, Pablo Picasso, Mick Jagger, Sammy Davis Junior, The Beatles, and Jon Pertwee as Doctor Who.
Born in Wood Green, north London, to parents he described as 'very ordinary', Fish started his career at 15, cleaning countertops in a West End department store. He worked his way up to become a shirt maker for gentlemen's outfitter Turnbull & Asser, where he was valued for his distinctive flair. His own boutique opened in Mayfair in 1966, funded by Barry Sainsbury.*
From the exhibition
Fashion City
(October 2023 – July 2024)
How Jewish Londoners shaped global style
For the first time, this exhibition uncovered the major contribution of Jewish designers in making London an iconic fashion city.
Fashion City shone a light on the Jewish fashion makers who became leaders in their industries and founded retail chains still on the high street today. And also dressed the rich and famous: David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger – to name just a few.
Key industry figures were featured, like wedding dress designer Netty Spiegel, milliner Otto Lucas, the iconic Mr Fish and legendary David Sassoon. These stories were brought to life by fashion and textiles, oral histories, objects and photography
[*London Museum]
Taken at Museum of London Docklands