LCC Broadcast News Room

One of London eccentric streets, Carnaby Street is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To mark the event, there will be a host of events and celebrations throughout the year.

 Almost 50 years on, groups such as the mods, the skinheads and punks have left their imprint on the street. The distinctiveness of the street is down to its historic cutting edge fashion, music and youth culture.

To kick start the celebrations, this Friday will see the opening of an exhibition and limited edition book of the same title, 'Carnaby Street: 1960 - 2010'. The exhibition will put into context the history of Carnaby from its earliest origins in the 16th century to it's heyday in the 1960's.

There will be a visually eye-catching unique 3D timeline which illustrate key people, events and pictures from it's grass roots beginnings as a green field with a well and a scarecrow 500 years ago. There will also be archive which will focus on Carnarby's music heritage such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Sex pistols.

Relatives of family members from the 60's era have also contributed original items to show which were purchased of Carnarby Street.So do expect to find collectors items such as a psychedelic flares, suede coats and art deco meets op art designs on show.

The limited book will feature images from 60's photographer Philip Townsend and exclusive interviews with people who have lived and worked in Carnarby including The Who's Pete Townsend.

The exhibition and book are the work of curators and fashion historians Judith Clark and Amy de la Haye, who have curated exhibitions at major international museums including the V&A and Mode Museum in Antwerp. Amy de la Haye said "The whole ethos of carnaby Street is to go against the grain, so we thought the show should go the same way".

For more information on events throughout the year or details on shops on carnarby Street head over to www.carnaby.co.uk

Carnarby Street : 1960 -2010
26th February 2010 - 11th April 2010
38 Carnaby Street W1
Admission Free