Cultural Elite

Mods liked to consider themselves part of a cultured group which embraced European film makers such as Fellini and Truffaut. They looked beyond Britain’s shores for inspiration and were passionate about art, design, architecture and, of course, music. Modernist jazz album covers were a source of influence, often showing artists in smart tailor made suits, which allowed this incredibly smart group of youths to be part of a subculture without drawing attention to themselves like the Teddy Boys. Jamaican ska music was key to the clothing-obsessed mods, and black American soldiers sold the highly sought after rhythm and blues records that weren’t available in Britain.