Interview

Right: Bottega Veneta, SS 2009. Courtesy of Bottega Veneta.

Part sci-fi spectacle, part critique of Cold War authoritarianism, Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner wasn't just a spy show. With a cult following and its influence still felt in today's TV, McGoohan's death last week reminded pop culture enthusiasts just how groundbreaking this show was. Lost is deeply indebted, as is Austin Powers' classic line, "Who does Number 2 work for?" On top of its poignant discussion of the loss of individualism and skepticism of intitutions, The Prisoner was a fully realized world of high-tech gadgetry—set in idyllic country houses, and complete with psychedelic, nautical-inspired resort wear for the entire community.

Brief plot synopsis: McGoohan's character (referred to only as "Number Six") resigns as a spy, but because of his crucial knowledge, he is sent to a "retirement" community known as The Village. There, he is greeted by candy-striped ladies and a dapper figure (whose striped scarf has been  endlessly copied, by Hanii Y most recently) who tell him there is no escape. His clothes are burned in a "fire," and a fashion icon is born: Number Six's piped sailor blazer became a mod must-have and a symbol of the show.