Cynthia Lennon

The Legacy of Cynthia Lennon

I have been blessed throughout my life, not least through my friendship with John Lennon. Since we met at the Liverpool College of Art in 1957, recognizing me from a picture in the local paper as the artist behind a portrait of the chart-topping skiffle star Lonnie Donegan, John and I found her careers entwined. I am always keen to give credit to another dear friend of mine for the role she played in John’s success (as well as my own), though – Cynthia Lennon, John’s first wife.

Back in the late 50s, Cynthia Lennon was Cynthia Powell, a fellow student at the college. She and John struck up a relationship, eventually marrying, and I went my separate ways from the happy couple to pursue my own dreams. I ended up living in Rome, working for Sorelle Fontana, and working as an extra for Hollywood movies that filmed in Italy. Can you imagine anything more exciting for a young woman with a passion for fashion?

The thing is, though, as any Liverpool native knows, the siren song of the Mersey eventually called me home. To be more precise, it was Cynthia Lennon that made the call! We stayed in touch while I was aboard, and Cynthia loved the clothing I was designing and creating. She told me how Liverpool was coming into its own during the swinging 60s, and I could have great success if I opened my own shop. I decided she had a point, so in 1963 I opened a boutique on Bold Street selling leather and suede goods.

John and Cynthia Lennon were always supportive of my endeavours. They did not help me set up financially – I did not want or need them to! – but they often popped into the shop and commissioned outfits and accessories for John to wear on stage. I usually focused on leather ties, but my life changed when I designed John a bespoke leather Bakerboy cap. You’ll know it from the Help! video.

That cap became synonymous with John and his look, and I lost count of the amount I made – they never lasted long, as screaming fans would constantly snatch them from John’s head! If you’re keen to wear a little piece of British rock ‘n roll history, don’t pay through the nose on eBay because somebody claims to have the original hat from the Help! video. There were so many made there is no way where that one ended up. I still have a handful of contemporary replicas left, though, so feel to order one straight from me – it will even be made to measure!

Of course, John and Cynthia Lennon eventually drifted apart and ended their marriage. I remained close to both these special people, though, and they both inspired my life, work, and career over the years – I miss them both terribly now that they’re no longer with us. If you’d like to learn more about Cynthia Lennon and her influence on John – and beyond – be sure to pick up a copy of one of her books, especially John.

Daniel Martin
Hello, My name is daniel martin. I live in Texas, United States. And I love to read and write blogs, articles, news, press release, etc. I have written the last 2 years. In my free time, I enjoy to reads a book.