10 things I love about the 1960s

 

Image by FC Gundlach

1. Mini  

Not the car - though I'm quite fond of it - I'm in fact talking about the Mini dress. 

Young people in the '60s suddenly found themselves wanting to wear non-conforming clothes. 

Different and radical was the theme of fashion. 

Mary Quant may have popularised the Mini dress, 

but the real 'inventor' was John Bates, best known for 'the smallest dress in the world', 

bikini dress, pvc clothing, and embroidered empire line evening dresses.

Image of Nancy Kwan via americanparlor.blogspot.com

 2. Vidal Sassoon haircut  

The iconic Vidal Sassoon produced geometric yet organic haircuts. 

Best known for the revival of the bob haircut, Vidal Sassoon helped 

'shape' the definitive women's hairstyle of the '60s.

Image via artnhustle.com

 3. Jackie Kennedy 

The First Lady who set new standards regarding dress, 

elegance, good manners and strength in the face of adversity. 

Image Alex Drake Vintage

4. Op Art 

The mesmerizing, mathematically-based, three-dimensional visual treat 

that Optical Art offered in paintings, tv adverts, textiles and clothing, 

and even on album covers, had so much novelty that it was popular for several years.

Image from Vintage Handbags by Marnie Fogg

5. Bags, bags, and bags 

The pastel coloured, patent bags of this period 

are just so yummy you could almost taste them. 

Image via sohopeople.co.uk

6. Boutiques of London 

From Carnaby Street to King's Road, these places housed 

new and enterprising small shops, eager to bring fresh fashion and style 

to an urban youth wanting and needing instant gratification and radical change.

Image Alex Drake Vintage

7. The original Biba 

With Barbara Hulanicki's vision, wonderful taste for an eclectic shop interiors, 

plus attention to clothing details, Biba, which started in Kensington, 

became a huge London brand, famous across the globe. 

People loved Biba's simple ethos of providing affordable, beautiful clothing, 

in a socially conducive environment - it had a rooftop for parties, and

some people even ended up getting married after courtships held 

in that magnificent place.

It also was the first brand to offer free 'make-up trial before purchase'.

Image via intretrostore.com

8. Space Age 

With the Space race on between the U.S.S.R. and the USA 

(who would put the first man on the moon?), the world of fashion, art, film, furniture, 

and home electronics turned to science fact and fiction for influence and inspiration. 

The above photo is a Ball Chair by Eero Aarnio, produced in 1966. 

Dubbed as 'a room within a room', it was meant to provide 

privacy within a delightful cosy space. From its debut in 1966, 

its architectural and functional qualities make it a furniture classic.

Image from Decorative Art '60s, by C&P Fiell, Taschen

9. Habitat 

With designer Terence Conran at its helm, Habitat in the ’60s 

displayed goods in a minimalist way 

as inspired by Scandinavian shops. 

Its stock was affordable, tasteful and truly useful. 

Image from Sixties Design by P. Garner, Taschen
Photo by Peter Max 

10. Cosmic ’60s Art 

This print by Peter Max was popular in American dorm rooms. 

Thanks to his four-colour reproduction printing technique, 

he created countless colourful prints cheering people up. 

Looking at his work, I've always considered him as 

a grandfather of contemporary graphic design. 

'Love' is a powerful word, and one that I love. 

I'm saying it again...Spread the love.  

References:
fashionmodeldirectory.com
oparthistory.com
bibacollection.co.uk
Decorative Art '60s by C&P Fiell
Sixties Design by Philippe Garner
Vintage Handbags by Marnie Fogg

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