How Cynthia Lennon Inspired a Fashion Icon

1. How Cynthia Lennon Inspired a FashionIcon

2. John Lennon lived a full life that involved a variety of different phases – and two marriages. John's relationship with Yoko One is famous across the world. His first union, to Cynthia Lennon, was no less critical. Cynthia played a significant role in John's early life, mothered their son Julian, and was a great friend to Helen Anderson – designer of some of John's most iconic fashionstatements. John andCynthia Lennonmet in the 1950s at the Liverpool College of Art. At this same educational establishment, Helen Anderson met the future Lennons, striking up a firm friendship with both parties. John was initially impressed by a portrait of Lonnie Donegan, the so-called "King of Skiffle", that Anderson had painted on behalf of the chart-toppingartist. Upon graduation, Anderson found that her path diverged from John and Cynthia Lennon (then known as Cynthia Powell). While the future Beatle and his soon-to-be wife remained in the UK, Anderson opted to seek her fortune overseas. She took on a job at Sorelle Fontana in Rome, one of the most reputable and desirable fashion houses in the world that remains active today. Sorelle Fontana loosely translates as Fontana Sisters, as it was founded by a trinity of siblings, Zoe, Micol and Giovanna Fontana, in 1943. Sorelle Fontana was responsible for dressing some of the most iconic celebrities in the world at their peak, creating a wedding gown for Audrey Hepburn and providing glamourous outfits to the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy and GraceKelly. Helen Anderson joined Sorelle Fontana while living in Rome in the early 1960s, after graduating from the Accademia dei Belle Arti di Roma. This era was known as the Golden Age of Cinecitta (a movie studio in Rome dubbed 'the Italian Hollywood' by those in the industry), which opened up a raft of opportunities for talented, young and hungry artists. Anderson made ends meet painting portraits on commission while designing her own clothing and wistfully window shopping at establishments like SorelleFontana. During such a moment, a sales assistant from Sorelle Fontana approached Anderson, complimenting her on her outfit and asking where she had purchased it. Explaining that she had designed the dress herself, Anderson was rewarded with a stint working for Sorelle Fontana as a freelanceartist. All good things must come to an end, and eventually, Anderson returned to Blighty. She was richer in experience for her time spent with Sorelle Fontana, but still needed to find work. This was when Cynthia Lennon re-entered Anderson's life, encouraging her to open a bespoke boutique inMerseyside. Anderson agreed that this was a good idea, deciding to bring a little Roman glamour to England's Northwest. John and Cynthia Lennon were among the biggest cheerleaders of Anderson's business venture, spreading the word about the shop andregularly

3. visiting. This, as discussed, led to Anderson designing John Lennon's famous leather cap. The rest, as they say, is history – a history that owes a debt of gratitude to the friendship of CynthiaLennon. Source:https://amelierich.livejournal.com/964.html