When it was eventually issued in June 1977 by the more open-minded Virgin such was the hype that it went straight into the charts

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When it was eventually issued in June 1977 by the more open-minded Virgin, such was the hype that it went straight into the charts at No 2. AN ORIGINAL Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" single on A&M Records - what better way to spend pounds 2,500? In 1977 when there was still the remnant of a taboo about criticising the monarchy, "God Save the Queen" was about as rebellious as rock could get. At a time when most of Her Majesty's subjects were flag-waving for the Silver Jubilee, it provoked outrage and enthusiasm in equal measure. It was so hot in fact that it nearly didn't get released at all. Dropped by EMI for, among other things, swearing on TV, the band were briefly on the books of A&M Records, but here too the bosses bowed to public pressure just as they were about to release the single. well, who knows, perhaps Austin Reed! I think they'd like my customers."Beau Monde, 43 Lexington Street, London W1, 0171 734 6563.

Not bad for a suit that she reckons will "last four years".But back to the onions. Sylvia believes in "cross fertilisation" and is a dedicated follower of modern art. "There are a lot of young artists out there who have just left college. They need to show and sell their work but may not have enough pieces to exhibit in a mainstream gallery." Her shop space is booked up until October 2000 "Everyone benefits My shop gets redesigned every six weeks.

The artists find buyers for their work and my customers enjoy the paradox. After all, where else can they buy outfits more frequently seen on the backs of Ascot ladies alongside mad organic installations or framed by tortured oils on canvas?"And her plans for the future? "To see my outfits selling countrywide." To this end, and in keeping with her patronage of new young artists, Sylvia has just employed the services of the radical Submerge Advertising to redefine the Beau Monde image "It was a great job, the new look is brilliant So now we're all set for a concession with ... to accentuate their curves." And it seems the girls like Sylvia Customers from all over the world return time and again. "My designs are for women like me, business women, working mothers, busy people with no time to shop around. Typically, a client will rush from Heathrow for a 10am fitting, then on to a meeting, back at six to collect the outfit and on to Heathrow, all the time juggling children, nannies and the rest of it.

More and more these days women are breadwinners and carers, with heavy schedules and no time for themselves. So I'm here to pamper them."Her designs are aimed at the 24-40 age group and about 90 per cent of her customers are regulars. She dresses all sorts, from scientists to socialites, advertising execs and media types to Ascot ladies. She even transformed one woman's love life after persuading her to wear a skirt, her first since her school days.While other labels have come and gone - not many shops survive the rigours of fickle old Soho - Sylvia's designs have endured. They are timeless, elegant, formal and, with the right accessories, sexy. The fabrics are exquisite, the colours earthy and natural - burnt siennas and ochres - the cut is elegant Fifties and early Sixties "My mother was a great inspiration.