Fashions of the 1960s

 Fashion began to focus on teenagers for the first time in the early 1960’s, and London became the centre of a music and fashion explosion. The young designer Mary Quant created bold, colorful and low priced clothes which were a huge success. She popularized the miniskirt, which reached an unprecedented 8- 9 inches above the knee, and her colorful designs were in perfect tune with the spirit of the time.

                In Paris, Andre Courreges launched his “Space Age“look of 1964 – stark, futuristic, all white outfits were worn with his much imitated white kid boots. Paco Rabanne experimented with clothes made from metal discs and chains. Laurent designed daring see through blouse in 1968. The Beatles popularized Pierre Cardin’s suit if 1963, with its collarless jacket and straight leg trousers. Their psychedelic look parodied military uniforms bright primary colors mixed with dyed garments or Indian tunics and trousers.

 African designs in vivid prints were adopted by musicians like Sly and the Family Stone, and the natural bushy Afro hairstyle became popular. The San Francisco hippie scene at the end of the decade was a fashion blend of the flavor ethnic, historic, psychedelic and even beatnik styles were interchangeable, usually worn with jangling jewellery and long hair. Elsewhere, the decade ended with a soft, ‘romantic’ look, featuring flower print cotton and crushed velvet.

In 1962 Saint Laurent launched his own couture house and designs the pea jacket. The Chanel suit and pill box hat are worn and popularized by the Jackie Kennedy. Hardy Amies begins designing men’s fashion.