A self-proclaimed Vivienne Westwood obsessed Bolton pensioner is refusing to give up his eccentric love of fashion despite receiving taunts in the street – at the tender age of 70.
Allan Bradbury, a former construction worker driller, may have his bus pass and is entitled to 20% discounts in DIY stores and garden centres, but he’s far more trendy than the average grandad.
The old-timer still spends up to £160 a month on Gucci and Vivienne Westwood designs including oversized shirts and funky pirate boots.
Mr Bradbury, who has two wardrobes at home to house his giant collection of flamboyant designer gear, is refusing to grow old gracefully – and regularly gets stopped in the street by onlookers admiring his quirky fashion sense.
STRIKE A POSE: Mr Bradbury’s love of fashion won’t subside in old age
Among his collection of designer jackets, trousers and shoes in his walk-in wardrobe, Mr Bradbury boasts a section dedicated to his favourite fashion label Vivienne Westwood.
The world-famous designer is known for her daring and ‘off the cuff’ designs and is favoured by celebrities such as Dita Von Teese and Kate Moss.
But the fashion house was so impressed with Mr Bradbury, it invited him to a tea party at the Manchester store when the new season’s collection was unveiled.
“I discovered Vivienne Westwood about eight years ago and that’s when my obsession started,” said the divorced father-of-four, from Bolton, Greater Manchester.
ECCENTRIC: Mr Bradbury often receives comments on his wild look
“I love her designs, they’re asymmetric and she doesn’t follow the rules or conform. I love that about her.
“I buy her clothes whenever I can and staff in the Manchester store now know me really well – they give me a hug when they see me.”
Mr Bradbury, who served as an RAF gunner in the 15th squadron’s parachute team in Borneo, Asia, admits his style is far from conventional and said his love of Vivienne Westwood took a while for his family to get used to.
He said: “When I first started wearing Vivienne Westwood clothes my children would tell me to walk on the other side of the road but they’re used to it now.
“I get so many people coming up to me in the street and saying things like ‘I love you for having courage.
TREND-SETTER: The trendy grandad poses with a busker
“You’re old but you still have a love of fashion.’ I guess I do like the attention. I have been called the ‘OAP fashion icon.’”
Not everyone is a fan of the 70-year-old eccentric look however, but the Boltonian will not be deterred.
“So many people stop me for photographs but some young men do judge me,” he added.
“I get called ‘gayboy’ because I wear pirate boots and an oversized shirt, but I’m not bothered. I like my style and that’s the main thing.”
Despite the odd bit of abuse, Mr Bradbury said he will absolutely, definitely never wear plain trousers, beige shirts and jumpers.
“My favourite outfit is combat ripped jeans with red pocket linings, a Vivienne Westwood shirt with gold glitter on the cuffs and a Union Jack on the neck. I dress loud and colourful – I guess I’m a bit of a show off,” he said.
“Age is just a number, it is nothing to do with fashion. It was Vivienne Westwood who said buy less but buy well.
“Nelson Mandela said we should not be subservient, but to shine, therefore we give people the opportunity to do the same, and I believe in that philosophy.”
Mr Bradbury, who currently volunteers as a counsellor, warned he would never give up his favourite ripped jeans for conventional ‘old man’ slacks and woolly jumpers, no matter how old he is.
SAY CHEESE: Mr Bradbury says lots of people ask for pictures
”Anyone who suggests I wear slacks and a beige shirt can wash out their mouth with soap and water as far as I’m concerned,” he said.
“I’ve always been a follower of fashion and I’m not going to stop now just because I’m in my 70s. When I left school at the age of 15 I was a Teddy Boy and I thought I was a bit of looker back then.
“Then in the 1970s I loved the whole ‘Flower Power’ theme and in the 80s I wore a lot of leather. My fashion sense has evolved with the decades.
”Fashion is an expression of people’s personalities and I don’t think that should stop just because you have reached a certain age.”
Story via Cavendish Press.
