19 Dec 2024
Do you remember the legendary Original Levi’s Store in The Maltings Shopping Centre?
These photographs are courtesy of St Albans fashionista Karen Jennings, who ran the franchise for 15 years at 34 Chequer Street, on the site of what is now Hotel Chocolat. Some great outfits and styles – who remembers shopping there?
Karen, who came from Markyate, initially joined the store as deputy manager in 1990, but in 1992 – aged just 26 – she bought the franchise from Farah Holdings, celebrating the occasion with a lively opening party which was reported in the local media at the time.
She said: “Jeans were my life for 15 years no less. I was there for the rise of the 501, waists went high to super-low and flares came and went. Snow wash fell and as for the zip fly, well that was groundbreaking!”
Karen eventually closed the store in 2005, going on to spend 17 years in a part-time role at The Dressing Room before becoming a personal stylist and launching her Instagram platform StylingOut50.
