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And heres a close-up of operation toe-shine. For a shilling a time shoe-shine
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And heres a close-up of operation toe-shine. For a shilling a time shoe-shine
And heres a close-up of operation toe-shine. For a shilling a time shoe-shine Charles Downs paints toe-nails on his pitch at London Hyde Park Corner.
Charlie used to wait patiently for customers till he hit the nail on the head with his twinkletoe idea. SaysCharlie: " in summer most men wear suede shoes. The gals wear toe-less sandals. So the shoe-shine business is on its uppers. Then I noticed that some of the gals toe-nails were unsightly. I thought I would brighten them up a bit." You can t say, Charlie, a shoe-shiner for years, isn t on his toes. September 1959 P004962
WATFORD
Mirrorpix
London
Greater London
England
Media ID 21332888
© Mirrorpix
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of Charles Downs, a true innovator in his trade. In this close-up shot, we witness the fascinating operation known as "toe-shine" at London's Hyde Park Corner. For just a shilling per session, Charlie skillfully paints toe-nails on his shoe-shine pitch, adding an unexpected touch of glamour to his customers' footwear. Charlie's ingenious idea stemmed from observing the changing trends in summer footwear. With men opting for suede shoes and women donning toe-less sandals, traditional shoe shining was losing its appeal. However, keen-eyed Charlie noticed that some ladies had unsightly toe-nails that could use a little brightening up. With determination and creativity, Charlie ventured into uncharted territory within his industry. His twinkletoe concept not only revived interest in shoe shining but also offered an entirely new service to enhance personal style and confidence. As we delve into this September 1959 snapshot from Memory Lane Prints, it becomes evident that Charlie is no ordinary shoe-shiner; he is always on his toes when it comes to innovation. This image encapsulates the spirit of fashion-forward thinking during the 1950s while highlighting how individuals like Charlie can adapt their skills to meet evolving customer needs. Let us celebrate this remarkable man who transformed a mundane task into an art form by bringing beauty and elegance to even the most unexpected places - one painted toenail at a time.
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