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Marina Retro have their main website at
www.marinaretro.co.uk

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The Story So Far...
 

Marina Retro is a family-run business, consisting of Marina, her long-suffering and regularly neglected partner Roger, her over-worked but eternally optimistic daughter Wendy, her charming and capable son Hamilton and her energetic and spirited granddaughter Poppy.

Marina left school at fifteen in the sixties when most girls went into either shop work or factory work. Being somewhat creative she decided she wanted to make things rather than sell them, so she started working as a factory girl for an esteemed furrier that had a showroom in Regents Street, London.

Starting on the shop floor as a machinist, Marina quickly became skilled in that art and was keen to learn more. At the time however, it was a very male dominated industry and cutters, pattern-makers and tailors were mostly men. Not one to be put off easily though and vehemently progressive Marina nagged and nagged her old Jewish boss until in the end he had no choice but to give in and let her train as a cutter and pattern-maker. Among some of the things she made from fur were stoles, muffs, hats, poufes, toy animals and fur coats… for ladies and their dogs. More unusual items she made were bras and bungalow tents… And no, she won't make you one now… however nicely you ask!

Anyway, as real fur went out of fashion and the desire for bungalow tents waned the business closed. Highly trained now however, Marina went on to work as a training supervisor for the company that supplied Marks and Spencer. She was able to teach every job in the factory, from machinist to cutter. 8 years later progression set in again though and it was time to move onwards and upwards.

Real fur was still 'out' but fur fabric was now very much 'in'. So being able to make a fur coat from start to finish enabled her to start her own business from home, making made to measure fur fabric coats. As the business grew, she sold them from shops, adding bought-in ladies' fashions, shoes, jewellery and lingerie. One shop quickly turned into five.

Then a surprise change of direction…

Marina's daughter Wendy went along to a Bill Haley tribute evening by chance one night and instantly caught the rock n roll 'bug'. Being a teenager, she had little money and although she bought a couple of original 50's dresses and circular skirts, her money didn't go far. In desperation she did what any girl would do… she went to her Mum.

Marina took patterns from the dresses and skirts and made brand new ones in various colours and materials, therefore leaving Wendy with enough money to leave home and get a flat. Marina was very sad.

Years passed and as she saw how much fun Wendy was having at the rock n roll dances she decided she wanted a piece of the action too! So she joined a local club to learn to jive and was given Roger as her dance partner. She started wearing the clothes that she'd made Wendy years earlier. To her delight women kept complimenting her on them and asking her to make things for them.

Having kept all her machines in storage for years and itching to use them again, it was just too tempting an opportunity to pass up and overnight Roger's lovely 4 storey Regency house was transformed into occupied territory. From that day on things would never be the same again.

Before long word got around and Marina was approached by a local band for some stage clothes. Quick to rise to the challenge Marina made her first bowling shirt. It was such a success that her shirts soon became sought-after and she was approached to sell her clothes in more and more places.

With so many gigs to attend, Roger took time out from his business to help and they took the stall to various Car Shows, Jukebox Shows, Rock n Roll Clubs, Alldayers and Weekenders throughout England and Europe. The demand became so high that reinforcements were called in and Wendy joined the business full time. Since then Marina Retro has found its niche and like most businesses now, has gone 'worldwide' by joining the net. Although they no longer attend the shows, they readily promote the rock n roll scene and provide various bands and DJ's with clothes. They have even had their clothes on ITV.

Marina still makes all the designs and patterns and sews from dusk 'til dawn, Roger still shares his house with numerous machines and rolls of cloth, Wendy does all of the admin, emails and photography and is eternally mastering the internet side of things, Hamilton helps Marina with the cutting-out and Poppy sticks the stamps on and helps with the filing…

…And that's the story so far.