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1963
John Crittle arrives in Britain.
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1965
John Crittle is employed at the exclusive Chelsea boutique, Hung On You.
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John Lennon is not happy on the set of "Help" and considers it a low point in his career.
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Mid 1960's
Tara Browne (Guinness heir and friend of John Lennon and Paul McCartney) and John Crittle begin their business association.
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1966 approx.
Paul McCartney and his brother Mike meet Tara Browne. Paul later introduces John Lennon to
Tara Browne. -
July 1966
John Crittle and Neil Winterbotham appear on the cover of Life International for a story, "Spread of Swinging London."
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August 1966
Sybilla's Discotheque (George Harrison owned a percentage of this club) hosts a fashion show with Dandie Fashions.
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The Beatles play their final scheduled concert, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
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October 1966
Dandie Fashions first opens its doors in Queens Gate Mews.
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November 1966
John meets Yoko for the first time at the opening of her show "Unfinished Objects."
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December 1966
Dandie Fashions is legally incorporated.
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Dandie Fashions purchases the Bentley.
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Tara Browne is killed in a car accident, on his way to discuss the design for Dandie Fashions' new storefront on King's Road.
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Play audio interviewListen to audio interview
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January 1967
A London Look article about Dandie Fashions mentions the psychedelic Bentley.
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John Lennon uses a newspaper article about Tara Browne in his song "A Day in the Life."
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John Crittle hires Binder, Edwards and Vaughn (BEV) to paint the Bentley.
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Play audio interviewListen to audio interview
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February 1967
Patrick Kerr spends time in a Spanish jail for wearing "obscene clothing" designed by John Crittle.
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April 1967
Dandie Fashions opens on
King's Road. -
September 1967
John Crittle meets with Pete Shotton at Apple's temporary headquarters to discuss Apple Tailoring (first recorded meeting).
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December 1967
John Crittle attends the Apple boutique launch party.
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The Apple boutique opens, with Pete Shotton as manager.
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January 1968
Apple Corps is headquartered at
95 Wigmore Street, London.
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February 1968
Apple Corps takes ownership of Dandie Fashions, along with the psychedelic Bentley, and changes the store's name to Apple Tailoring.
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Play audio interviewListen to audio interview
-
Click documents to enlarge
Registration Book
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Stock Transfer Notes
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Bentley Chassis Plate
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Bressler & Bressler note of Authentication
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The Impossible Collection Of Cars (The Beatles' Bentley, right)
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Formal letter of request for shares
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Letter from auctioneer
222 APL. Seems incredibly coincidental that the British registration for this 1956 Bentley S1 - with purple leather seats, a pink rug, and a body painted in 12 bold colors - would allude to The Beatles and Apple Corps, its eventual owner. Or perhaps that's just divine intervention. In 1966, Dandie Fashions, the boutique clothing and tailoring shop owned by John Crittle, purchased the car that was originally owned by the Countess of Middleton. To reflect the freethinking, trippy style of the times in London and around the world, Crittle commissioned the artist collective Binder, Edwards, and Vaughn (BEV) to paint designs on the car in psychedelic shapes and vibrant colors. The car perfectly fit the King's Road scene and Crittle played chauffeur to his friends - Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, The Who's Roger Daltry, and even John Lennon - on late night cruises through town. They'd slide down the London streets to places like the Speakeasy, an infamous basement restaurant and music club over in the West End. Known as The Speak, this place was a haven for a diverse crowd, everyone from hard core Hell's Angels to the pin-up beautiful Benny Hill Angels. Bob Marley and the Wailers played there before the world knew them. Lennon's interest in Crittle's fashion work led to The Beatles' Apple Corps acquiring Dandie Fashions and renaming it Apple Tailoring. Of course, the acquisition included the car. Thus the genesis of The Beatles' Bentley.
-
1963
John Crittle arrives in Britain.
-
1965
John Crittle is employed at the exclusive Chelsea boutique, Hung On You.
- -
John Lennon is not happy on the set of "Help" and considers it a low point in his career.
-
Mid 1960's
Tara Browne (Guinness heir and friend of John Lennon and Paul McCartney) and John Crittle begin their business association.
-
1966 approx.
Paul McCartney and his brother Mike meet Tara Browne. Paul later introduces John Lennon to
Tara Browne. -
July 1966
John Crittle and Neil Winterbotham appear on the cover of Life International for a story, "Spread of Swinging London."
-
August 1966
Sybilla's Discotheque (George Harrison owned a percentage of this club) hosts a fashion show with Dandie Fashions.
- -
The Beatles play their final scheduled concert, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
-
October 1966
Dandie Fashions first opens its doors in Queens Gate Mews.
-
November 1966
John meets Yoko for the first time at the opening of her show "Unfinished Objects."
-
December 1966
Dandie Fashions is legally incorporated.
- -
Dandie Fashions purchases the Bentley.
- -
Tara Browne is killed in a car accident, on his way to discuss the design for Dandie Fashions' new storefront on King's Road.
- -
Play audio interviewListen to audio interview
-
January 1967
A London Look article about Dandie Fashions mentions the psychedelic Bentley.
- -
John Lennon uses a newspaper article about Tara Browne in his song "A Day in the Life."
- -
John Crittle hires Binder, Edwards and Vaughn (BEV) to paint the Bentley.
- -
Play audio interviewListen to audio interview
-
February 1967
Patrick Kerr spends time in a Spanish jail for wearing "obscene clothing" designed by John Crittle.
-
April 1967
Dandie Fashions opens on
King's Road. -
September 1967
John Crittle meets with Pete Shotton at Apple's temporary headquarters to discuss Apple Tailoring (first recorded meeting).
-
December 1967
John Crittle attends the Apple boutique launch party.
- -
The Apple boutique opens, with Pete Shotton as manager.
-
January 1968
Apple Corps is headquartered at
95 Wigmore Street, London.
-
February 1968
Apple Corps takes ownership of Dandie Fashions, along with the psychedelic Bentley, and changes the store's name to Apple Tailoring.
- -
Play audio interviewListen to audio interview
-
Click documents to enlarge
Registration Book
-
Stock Transfer Notes
-
Bentley Chassis Plate
-
-
Bressler & Bressler note of Authentication
-
The Impossible Collection Of Cars (The Beatles' Bentley, right)
-
Formal letter of request for shares
-
Letter from auctioneer