1970's 'Please yourself'

1970's - 'Please yourself'


Glam Rock was very popular during the 70's, people wore outrageous clothes, make-up and hairstyles. Platform shoes were also a big hit during the glam rock period. David Bowie is a good iconic name associated with the glam rock style whose clothes were inspired by space and technology. He had many successful tracks such as Starman and Changes!

Following glam rock, the flamboyant style was also seen with people wearing high waisted flared trousers were a big hit during the 70's, as well as rhinestone studded shirt for men. Hairstyles were either spiky, multi coloured or long and soft layered. Mullets were often a popular hairstyle seen through the 70s!

Women on the other hand wore halter neck tops, velvet dresses and sequin bra tops following the disco style. Cher was an inspiration for some women wearing leotard and having very thin eyebrows!

Yves Saint Laurent was the first French designer to use his own image to promote his products. He was regarded as one of the greatest names in fashion history and was credited for introducing the woman's tuxedo suit. In 1971 he showcased a 1940's inspired collection, which was criticized by the press; he ignored the press and watched his success! 

Bianca Jagger was another name who was iconic for wearing peacock feathers in her cloche hats.




Zandra Rhodes made her debut in the 70's known for her colourful outrageous designs. She was born in Kent in 1940 and studied printed textiles at the Royal College of art in London. She later opened her boutique with Sylvia Ayton  called the Fullam Road Clothes Shop. Sylvia Ayton designed the clothes and Zandra Rhodes supplied the printed textiles designs. Zandra Rhodes was one of the new wave of British designers who put London at the forefront of the international fashion scene in the 1970s. One of her many achievements include designing garments for Princess Diana. 

 

 

 

In the film industry Charlie's Angels had an impact on fashion showcasing the one-piece swimsuit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry Hall was a US actress starring in famous films such as Batman; she was also a model and was the face for Opium. She later married Mick Jagger and they went on to have four children. 

 

 

 

Punk Style was a big craze in the 70's brought about by Vivienne Westwood using bondage gear, safety pins, and bicycle chains on garments as well as spiked dog collars for jewelry along with extravagant hair and make-up. She designed garments for Malcolm Mclarens boutique in Kings Road London called 'Let it Rock' later known as 'Sex'. 

 

1960's - The happening!

The Sixties - The happening!

By far one of my favourite periods of time in history! The sixties saw the arrival of the mini skirt followed by hot pants to the beehive hair style, you name it the sixties made it happen!

The Supremes!

 Definetly one of my favourite motown groups! They came about during the sixties bringing sparkle and glamour to the music industry, showcasing their big hair and diamonds!

 They were major rivals with the beatles through the sixties.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVlr4g5-r18

Members of the Supremes included, Diana Ross (lead singer), Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard when in 1967 the group was renamed 'Diana Ross and the Supremes' until the 1970 when Ross pursued a solo career and was replaced with Jean Terrell. There for the group's name reverted to 'The Supremes'. Some of the Supremes major hits during the 60's include: baby love, come see about me and stop in the name of love which to this day I believe are motown classics still played on the radio!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23UkIkwy5ZM



Woodstock festival was a big event in 1969 bringing hippies and Mod's together! Mods were seen wearing parkers or vespers were as hippies would be seen wearing peace sign necklaces or embellishments with big flower or tie dye prints. Jimi Hendrix was one of many acts who played at the 3 day festival; many thousands of people went to the festival. Although the festival was remarkably peaceful given the number of people and the conditions involved, there were two recorded fatalities: one from what was believed to be a heroin overdose and another caused in an accident when a tractor ran over an attendee sleeping in a nearby hayfield. There also were two births recorded at the event (one in a car caught in traffic and another in a hospital after an airlift by helicopter) and four miscarriages.

1964 saw an outbreak in the clash of two youth groups, Mods and Rockers which lead to major riots in the South of England. Mods as mentioned above being seen at Woodstock saw Rockers as oafish and grubby were as Rockers who were known for being centralised around motorcycling wore leather jackets and saw Mods as snobby and weedy. A great film I enjoyed watching is Quadrophenia which helped my knowledge between both youth groups and I liked seeing the individual fashions both groups wore!

                          

Designers making their debut in the sixties included the famous fashion house hold name 'Biba' founded by Barbra Hulanicki providing nice clothes at affordable prices! Mary Quant was also a big name who brought the new length mini skirt to the table.

Biba's first shop was opened in Kensington, London 1964.

Mary Quants first shop was called Bazar which she opened during the sixties.

 

Audrey Hepburn helped advertise Givenchy as she wore alot of the garments produced by Givenchy which helped expand the designer label. Another deisgner to include is Pierre Cardin who was a big tailor during the sixties.

 

 

 

2000's - The 'Mash up' decade!

2000s fashion - The 'Mash up' decade!

Minimalist fashion was still popular among both sexes from the 90's, some say there was a lack of divide between the fashion from the 90's and the 2000's. The 2000's didn't particulary have a style but were seen recycling vintage clothing styles from for example the sixties or the eighties.

Leading designers during this period included - Alexander Mcqueen, Vera Wang, Christian Louboutin, Jean - Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood.

From 2001 onwards many women wore more feminine styles such as denim miniskirts, daisy dukes, flared trousers and tank tops! Although bright colours were a hit including hot pink, baby blue and yellow!

In the mid 2000's boho and vintage styles around the globe became popular as low rise skinny jeans were a hit in America.

By the late 2000's both women and men revived the 80's punk style wearing acid washed skinny jeans and neon colours. Mariah Carey was one Amercan singer wearing the punk style during the 2000's as well as Madonna.

In 2007 Reese Witherspoon wore a yellow canary style dress to the golden globes which inspired many to wear brighter colours.

Men's wear started off with a 'leisurely look' of baseball caps and rugby shirts which slowly moved onto a revival of the 60's 'indie pop' style! Then by the late 2000's throwback fashions were popular including Ray Ban aviator sunglasses and wool topcoats.

Christian Loboutin is a famous French footwear designer who's shiny red laquered soles have become his signature. He is known for bringing back the stiletto heel back into fashion during this period designers many different heel heights and designs!








'Sex And the City' is one of the best chick flick films made in 2008 after its series ended on the television. This film had great inspiration showcasing the lifestyle and culture based in New York and more importantly each of the four friends has their own personality and style. This includes Carrie Bradshaw - High end fashion/ Vintage, Samantha Jones - Figure flattering pieces, Charlotte York - Classy and polished, and Miranda Hobbes - Separates/ interesting print styles!

 

1950s - The arrival of the teenager!

Following the impact of the full skirt introduced by Christian Dior, he made a come back in the 1950s with the arrival of the stiletto, the horseshoe collar and the princess line, as the industry picked up for him his buisness grew bigger.

'Fashion' became a household word.
                                                                                                                                            Dior stiletto


 The 1950s was known to be the feminine decade and this was shown through most women wearing a floral day dress. The corsets were definetly gone by this decade and conical shaped bras were the new hit. A classic example of the perfectly groomed elegant lady during this period is Audrey Hepburn known for the little black dress in every girls closet.


 Dior Dress







Although she wasnt always seen in a dress, she embraced the jeans and showed women how you still look effortlessly buffed and groomed without the need for a dress. Jeans became a very popular trend for the everyday teenager as well.

Men began to embrace the 'Ted look' wearing brightly coloured jackets and thiner trousers.

Pop art played its roll as a new art movement showcasing bold colours and celebrity faces such as Marilyn Monroe.

Elvis made his appearance and popularised Rock and Roll music, many of his hits were played around cafes and bars booming out of a juke box!



Films such as Grease and dirty dancing are classic examples of the fashions most teenagers embraced in the 50's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf55gHK48VQ

 Synthetic fibres were being mass produced as they were alot cheaper.

Balencigara introduced the Sack Dress. 

1930-1940 - The Golden Age For Couture

Another war began for Britain, rationing was no option it was key to getting the country through the war. Not only was food rationed so was clothing. Everyone was given a book of 66 coupons to use to buy new clothes for one year.

This was cut to 48 in 1942 and 36 in 1943. Each item of clothing cost a certain number of coupons.

Item	Men	Women	Children
Raincoat	16	15	11
Overcoat	7	7	4
Jacket	13	12	8
Shirt/Blouse	5	4	3
Jumper/Cardigan	5	5	3
Trousers	8	8	6
Shorts	3	3	2
Skirt		8	6
Boots/Shoes	7	5	3
Nightdress/Pyjamas	8	6	6
Underpants/Knickers/Vest	3	3	2
Socks/Stockings	2	2	1

Second hand clothes were not rationed and children's clothes were handed down from one child to the next or sold on to other families. The government used the slogan 'Mend and Make Do' to encourage people to repair or patch torn or worn clothes.

 

 

With the war going on fashion was on going with Chanel introducing sports wear for women.

 

 

 

 

The oxford bags were also a statement piece for men showcasing a higher waist with the flared style trouser.

 

 

The 1930s was seen as a respectable manner era with the butterfly sleeve and the exaggerated shoulder pads. The period also saw the first widespread use of man-made fibres, especially rayon for dresses and viscose for linings and lingerie, and synthetic nylon stockings. The Great Depression began to affect the public, and a more conservative approach to fashion displaced that of the 1920s. Skirts became longer and the waist-line was returned up to its normal position in an attempt to bring back the traditional feminine look.

 
1947 The full skirt was introduced by Christian Dior.

The bikini was another major trend which was introduced during the 1930's which made a big impact on the world of fashion.





 Art Deco was a new visual art design that popularised through the 1930's. The style is often characterized by rich colors and bold geometric shapes. Art Deco represented luxury, glamor, exuberance, and faith in social and technological progress.

 

The Bias cut during the 1930s became was worn by many women following the respectable manner dress sence approach as were the Godet (fish tail) dresses. A bias cut is a piece of woven fabric cut on a 45 degree angle to its warp and weft threads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jazz Age - 1920's


 Skirt lengths dramatically changed to well above the ankle and women began to bob their hair which created a new fashion which would be associated with the Jazz age of the 1920's. They were known as the Flapper girls, they inspired many young girls to wear heavy make up and shorten their hem lines on their skirts! They also wore new, softer corsets that reached to their hips, smoothing the whole frame, giving women a straight up and down appearance. With the old corsets gone so did the curves giving women a more boysish look. Flapper girls were often seen smoking and drinking along with driving automobiles.This decade was known for the wealth and excess. Marking the end of the great war and the beginning of a new era for many people.





Chanel introduced the little black dress that became an essential for many womens wardrobes!


Audrey Hepburn was one of the most famous women to wear the little black dress in Breakfast At Tiffanys which inspired many women.

 

By 1925 Paquin and Vionnet were amoung the designers showcasing their work at the 1925 Exhibition of Decorative Art in Paris.







1929 the Newyork stock market crashed - this was known as the Wall Street Crash. This marked the beginning of a Great Depression for many years.

Unemployment rose and the demand for traditional industrial products collapsed in Britain. People were no longer spending money on new clothes instead it was a case of make do and a mend what you had. This led Britain into World War two in 1939.

The Great War - 'Bella Pop'

The militant suffragette movement was suspended during the war, and at the time people credited the new patriotic roles women played as earning them the vote in 1918. Whilst men were fighting in the trenches the women stayed on the homefront and become more independant.

The number of women working increased in Britain as they were sent down the mines and into the factories or to nurse injured soldiers. Due to this the attractive outfits suddenly changed to trousers and tailored suits.

Women were seen wearing wider flared skirts and calf length hemlines that had been introduced. Brassieres were also the preferred option to the corset for most women, jumpers were also worn more often.

Men wore there trousers cuffed to the ankle-length and creased.

Women embraced their independance and clothing became more practical and the trends were seen as more relaxed. Sporty and dark coloured clothing came into fashion due to the big impact Coco Chanel created with Jean Patou.




The costumes worn in the Ballet Russes were a great influence on fashion as the more softer and draped form of clothing was introduced such as  the kimono sleeve and soft tunics. Although only the rich could afford such made to measure clothing so often people would by their own patterns so they could sew at home. This era became known as the 'Bella pop' (beautiful era).