35 Chapter 38

Chapter 38: The Fashionista

There was another group that had made the Lounge Bar their base. Let us call them the 'Fashionista'. This was a diverse bunch of fashion obsessives. Some were actual designers, writers, and fashion historians. The latter group was well known to the other 'committee academics'. They were all drawn to the Lounge Bar Restaurant of the Bull by the Old Ghost's extremely flamboyant sense of fashions. Yes, totally rooted in the 'Regency', but his use of textiles, colours, fabrics, and styles really fascinated this group. Old Slippery's flamboyance also amazed them. Very much the 'playboy' of his age.

He seemed to pose like a fully trained male model. His awareness was something else. This age of the 'dandy' fascinated this fashion fraternity. There have been times when male fashion had been more exuberant, more out there. However, both contemporary formal and causal male wear seemed pretty conservative now. This was never the case with Old Slippery. He loved being a peacock.

The odd photograph from this group was tolerated. The House Ghost knew full well who they were and enjoyed their presence. This was yet another chance to show off. He played up to this to the hilt. Fashion designers had a whole load of new ideas to work on. The combination of all those different elements and the 'hats'. Outside of the 'pop' world, this flamboyance had seemed to have died out. Think 'Glam Rock', along with David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Prince. New male fashion lines began to emerge. This also rippled across to ladies' fashion.

He had been know as a 'dandy' during his lifetime. A rival to Beau Brummel during the Regency. His activities as a Highwayman overtook all this and Slippery's fashion excessives were consequently overlooked. Historically, it was pretty well forgotten. Now he was now back in all his glory. His movie and the TV documentary certainly picked up on this as well. This helped no end in projecting his dandy/playboy image to the modern world. He always lived through his senses.

This mixed group of fashion obsessives was more than welcome at the Lounge Bar Restaurant as well. They all had very discerning tastes. Most were not real ale drinkers. They liked a fine French claret, for example. They knew which 'chateau' was which. Quality Merlots and Burgandy for example. Luckily through the Bull's Italian connection, Sid and Beryl were able to make a French connection so to speak. Their discerning palettes extended to food needless to say. Some classic French dishes became the norm for this group.

Beryl and Sid loved all this. They were the clientele they had always wanted in the Bull, not the 'binge' drinking mob in the old Public Bar, or all those rude beer-swilling newspaper hacks. Yes, real ale drinkers, would remain the cornerstone of the Bull Public House, however, this was a very welcome development.

There was a real profit margin to be made for starters. This was hard work and there could be no room for mistakes, but it was worth it. News spread, bookings had to be made. Also Beryl and Sid wanted all their other regulars kept sweet as well. Through using a careful booking system all these different 'balls' could be kept in the air at any one time.

The Fashionista also brought with them a very fine collection of well dressed and attractive young men and women. They knew already that the Old Ghost had retained his very prodigious libido. Suitably placed 'models' draping themselves around his chair always 'guaranteed' he would appear in all his finery. Every time in a different set of amazing clothing. Here was a new mission for him, to spark life back into the modern male fashion world.

Plus this was now a truly international crowd. News had very quickly spread around the world. Bookings were now being made in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Lagos Nigeria, and devotees of La Sapeur from the Congo, not to mention North America and all over Europe. These were set now months in advance. People would fly in especially for the event.

Needless to say, yet again, the media as a whole were fully appraised about these developments. Pamela Parsons had set up her own company with a very strong body of assistants to help manage all of this.

Old Slippery had gained confidence during the movie shoot. This had helped him with the 'line dancers' and the 'fashionista'. He showed he could navigate the modern world and make a very positive contribution. He was consequently making very good progress with his redemption.