The Fifties were the decade of
monochrome. The Sixties exploded with colour. How could a short 10 years change
everything?
The 1960’s was “the first teenage
generation free from conscription.”[1] This was the first-time
young adults had no responsibilities and could ‘conquer the world.’ The teenage
identity would be discovered through fashion which influenced the 1960s in more
ways than imaginable.
The decade of revolution was upon the 1960s. This decade would offer
music and fashion to enable teenagers to explore themselves and become free.
The 1960s explored a new era of music and enabled idolisation to occur. The
Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys experimented with new music and
encouraged peace, freedom and rebellion. 
Carnaby Street in London offered a ‘new world’ of fashion and helped
present a different identity for teenagers. It was one of the most eccentric
shopping districts which attracted global attention. In Carnaby Street nothing
was too outrageous to wear. It was the decade of ‘flower power’. Everyone
wanted to explore what Carnaby Street had to offer, not only with fashion, but
for a new lifestyle. Carnaby Street attracted the elite fashionistas of the
world which included many famous faces such as, Jimmy Hendrix and The Sex
Pistols who were popular and influential musicians. The popular fashion choice of
the 1960s for females were slim fitting dresses and skirts. Outfits would be
mixed and matched to serve a causal yet a dressy look. Jackie Kennedy the First
Lady of the United States, fashion style was often mimicked by the teenage
generation over in Britain. Jackie Kennedy bought a very classy and individual
style to the fashion industry.
How was it possible that fashion could
have more of an influence within society in 10 years than in 100 years? The
cultural shift allowed young adults to explore their own identity. From the
Mods and Rockers, to hippies and supermodels. At lot of the fashion that was
inspired to both men and women in the 1960’s was the huge success of
‘supermodels’. “High fashion in the sixties was nothing without the iconic
models that showed off new styles and inspired some designers and artists as
well.”[2]
Twiggy was one of the biggest supermodels to grace the 1960s. Her
audacious and rebellious attitudes towards fashion inspired a generation. Twiggy
was able to revolutionise the makeup industry in ways which had never been seen
before. Teenagers were infatuated with her and her style. “She was a
trendsetter, a daring dresser, and an icon in her own right.”[3] Twiggy modelled from an early age of 16 and was
able to trend set the ‘mini’ which was a skirt 6 or 7 inches above the knee.
This was deemed as ‘scandalous’ at the time to many onlookers. Twiggy was such a fashion icon, she modelled
for Vogue who described her as “a bloomin’ phenomenon- the Superstar model: the
master pattern for a million teenagers all over the world.”[4] Fashion was more than just
a choice of clothing, it was a choice of lifestyle that no one had ever
experienced before. Did fashion shape the 1960s or did the 1960s shape fashion?
It would change generations to come.
[1] The History and Heritage Accommodation Guide, ‘The 1960s The Decade that Shook Britain’ http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-1960s-The-Decade-that-Shook-Britain/
[2] The People History, ‘Cultural
Changes in Society and Their Effects on Fashion’ http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/60sclothes.html
[3] Twiggy Fashion 1960’s, http://womens-fashion.lovetoknow.com/Twiggy_Fashion_1960s
[4] Vogue, ‘Celebrating Twiggy, the Face of the Sixties, on Her Birthday’ https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/twiggy-sixties-icon-in-vogue#10
No comments:
Post a Comment