Crasses et Voluptés

Kleptomania boutique, Kingly Street, 1967

In 1966, Roberts opened a store called Kleptomania on Kingly Street, Soho, with partner Charlie Simpson. The shop sold Victoriana and military wear. Customers included Jimi Hendrix and The Who. In 1967, a second Kleptomania store opened on Carnaby Street.

In 1969, Roberts took over a hippy outlet called Hung on You, operated by the fashion designer Michael Rainey at 430 King's Road in World's End, Chelsea. With Trevor Myles, Roberts reopened the premises as Mr Freedom with a pop art concept using bright colours and designs by a team including Pamla Motown.

In December 1970, Roberts and Myles moved Mr Freedom to larger premises in Kensington, selling comic-strip clothes with kitsch homewares and "fun furniture". In the basement was restaurant Mr Feed'Em. In 1971, Cecil Beaton included Mr Freedom garments in the exhibition Fashion: An Anthology.

After the closure of Mr Freedom in 1972, Roberts opened the boutique City Lights Studio in Covent Garden. Among its customers was David Bowie, who wore a City Lights suit in photographs included in his 1973 album, Pin-Ups. Around this time, Roberts provided advice and a lawyer to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, who had taken over 430 King's Road and opened a store called Let It Rock.