Making Mischief Oral History Project, 'Pearly Queen' full

London College of Fashion

Doreen was born within the sound of Bow Bells which makes her a true Cockney. She became a Pearly Queen in the mid 1990s, firstly as a Pearly Pride (an apprentice) and eventually earning her title. Unusually Doreen has two titles, one in her own right (Pearly Queen of Bow Bells), and one with her late husband (Pearly King and Queen of Old Kent Road). The main business of Pearlies, according to Doreen, is collecting funds for charities. An average day involves putting on your outfit and standing outside supermarkets rattling a bucket. Doreen's outfit has motifs of flowers, bells and horseshoes and her jacket is covered in badges given to her by different charities.