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90s nostalgia… Red or Dead

29 replies

pinkdelight · 16/08/2026 08:02

For no reason at all, I woke up thinking about this store in Covent Garden that was so cool when I was a student/in first jobs in the mid/late 90s. I couldn’t remember its name, only that it had bright coloured clothes, funky shoes, and I associated it with that 90s late Friday night Channel 4 vibe like Rapido shows.

I was too skint for it but remember once being able to get a bright pink and blue print dress in the sales there that didn’t really suit me but I loved it because of the brand… whose name I still couldn’t remember… then I got the word ‘red’ and thought I’d have to ask on here, but the magic of the internet revealed it to be Red or Dead, of course!

Seems they were around for a long time after in various forms under various ownership, and earlier in the 80s they did Bros’s watch shoes! But it’s that 90s era that captures it for me.

And of course I remember Wayne Hemingway being around a lot, but had never realised it was his wife too. I found an article on his site from when she (Gerardine, still married afaik) got an MBE and he talks about how no one acknowledged her contribution or even existence, with all the media coverage being about ‘Wayne’s World’ and such, as he was the extrovert but also as he was the man. Which is very 90s too, and perpetuates…

But really I’m just posting for the nostalgia trip to see if anyone else has fond (or otherwise) memories of RoD in that era (or beyond)?

OP posts:
msmillicentcat · 16/08/2026 17:29

I had the most amazing pair of white and red ankle boots from RoD bought when I was a student in Manchester. I wish I still had them for nostalgia. Probably used to spend quite a bit of my student loan in there in the late 90s 🙈

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 16/08/2026 17:32

I had some black and grey striped kitten heel shoes from there. In nottingham. I’m sure I saw some red or dead shoes in schuh not that long ago

pinkdelight · 16/08/2026 17:41

Oh yes I think they had a deal with Schuh, that makes sense. V impressed with those who've had the foresight/taste/space to hang onto their RoD gear, and still rock it!

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 17/08/2026 22:53

pinkdelight · 16/08/2026 11:40

Trying to picture the chunky foam sandals - were the soles striped, like blue and white layers? Obviously there were other colours but that's what I'm getting in my head - it's mad how this has been archived deep and you're all dusting it off!

That's exactly them.

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