Photo: Courtesy of Exposure
Like many a punk rocker, The Clash's Paul Simonon has been influenced in subtle ways by legendary American "flash" tattoo artist Norman Collins (street name: Sailor Jerry.) Simonon even boasts an anchor tattoo and requests Sailor Jerry's namesake rum on his tour rider. Now he's collaborating with the Collins-themed lifestyle/tribute brand on a very limited-edition clothing line dubbed "The Flash Collection." Keeping it all killer, no filler, the three-piece collection ties in nicely with elements of the classic punk uniform: a leather jacket, a T-shirt, and a neckerchief.
The Lightning Jacket, at $2,300, is the most impressive design. Based on Simonon's own early Clash-era one, it is fully customized with his illustrated interpretation of Collins' skull and crossbones motif and the slogan "Jack to a King." The T-shirts ($50) and neckerchief ($30) also feature Simonon's hand-drawn designs, again based on two cult favorite Sailor Jerry tattoos, a mermaid riding an anchor, and hula girls on ukuleles (you've seen them around). The Flash Collection is available today at SailorJerryClothing.com and Trico.