Artificial Eye

Artificial Eye was based in the legendary Kensington Market, a three-floor indoor market, located at 49/53 Kensington High Street, London. Chock full with a variety of stalls, discerning punk shoppers, could make the short hop here after a pose/shop along the Kings Road with Seditionaries, BOY and Beaufort Market.

Not to be confused with Artificial Eye, the arthouse Film distribution company established in 1976 by Andi and Pam Engel.

Very little is known about this operation. They specialised in a shop/stall and mail order and their designs are pretty much variations on the Seditionaries, Clash militaristic theme of zipped jackets and jeans and derivative Westwood tartan, muskin, anarchy and copy parachute shirts. They had a warehouse in Avonmouth road, Kensington and used to supplement clothing they made with other people’s designs including a set of Clockwork Orange ones.

Probably started in late 1978, Artificial Eye continued into the Eighties and served the growing international demand for ‘alternative’ fashion as the American advert shows below that featured their clothes. Some were also branded with the Union Jack and labeled made in Great Britain to help on those export orders.

As there were likely fewer pieces made, the collectability of these equal items by Westwood or John White/Molly Dove Modzart items and prices for items start in the £1000,s. There appear to have several labels/ranges including ‘YOB’ and ‘666’.

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