From Brigitte Bardot’s signature bouffant to Mary Quant’s miniskirts, each style icon of the ’60s made an invaluable contribution to fashion history, whose legacy we still see today.
The era of the 60s is still an inexhaustible source of inspiration for many modern designers. Legendary Hermes Birkin bags, and Dior’s love for Edie Sedgwick’s style in the 2000s are all echoes of that iconic decade.
Responding to political and social changes, fashion broke all generally accepted traditions. It was a time when mini-skirts wanted to be cut even more, and the bouffant to be made even higher. The 60s gave us culottes that are fashionable this season, and made friends with geometric prints, as well as straight-cut things. We tell you everything you need to know about the people who formed the cult era.
Edie Sedgwick
A socialite, a favorite of the New York scene, and the eternal muse of Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, by today’s standards, can be called the very first It-girl. Her reputation as a good girl who allowed herself little mischief was also emphasized by her original appearance: eyeliner, large dangle earrings, fashion-style mini dresses, tight black tights, and short platinum hair. All of this would later look great on Sienna Miller, who will play the role of Edie in I Seduced Andy Warhol.
Twiggy
Without Twiggy, the 60s are not the 60s. A supermodel with a capital A, this girl became famous thanks to her huge eyelashes, lean boyish figure, and short haircut, which was first made for her by celebrity stylist Leonard in 1966. Overnight, her face became the symbol of the decade, and her image continues to inspire the masters of art and fashion for half a century now. Twiggy’s praises were sung by everyone – from Andy Warhol to designers Marks & Spencer.
Anita Pallenberg
The inspirer of the Rolling Stones, the fatal beauty Anita Pallenberg is still the personification of British fashion. Emancipated and sexy, she made a cult of things that are still present in the collections of many famous designers today – high over-the-knee boots, fringe, and tight-fitting silhouettes.
Mary Quant
She was not only an icon in her own right, she also dressed other icons of her era. In 1955, together with her husband, Quant opened the Bazar boutique in Chelsea, where she presented outfits that met the tastes of the youth of swinging London. Mary Quant’s store on King’s Road spawned legendary trends, and most importantly, made them a mass property. Quant started the fast fashion trend, and her main achievement is the popularization of miniskirts, shorts, square silhouettes, colored tights and bright raincoats.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Perhaps the most elegant first lady of the United States managed to maintain her unique, impeccable style throughout the entire term of President Kennedy, even though she experienced many tragedies and troubles. Tailored skirt suits, hats, and oversized sunglasses inspired women to copy her style not only in America but around the world.
Audrey Hepburn
Why do we love Audrey’s style? Let me think… How can you not fall in love with a chic black dress by Hubert de Givenchy from Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Or in the everyday style of the actress – capris and pumps? Or her short pink wedding dress? All of Audrey’s outfits have become a symbol of the era and still continue to win the hearts of fashionistas.
Ursula Andress
One of the sexiest images in world cinema is the image of Ursula in the 1961 James Bond film. In a white bathing suit, a girl emerges from the waters of the Caribbean Sea and quickly penetrates into the most intimate male fantasies. The belt, to which the knife is attached, successfully completes the image.
Jean Shrimpton
Starting her modeling career in the 60s, Jean Shrimpton completely reshaped the fashion world. The fact is that by the end of the 50s, sensual fashion models dominated the fashionable Olympus, complete with identical and painfully boring aristocratic poses. This leggy brunette declared an uncompromising “no” to the old aesthetic and an all-permissive “yes” to free, relaxed movements, which paved the way for such stars as Twiggy, Penelope Tree, and Kate Moss.
