2. Sixties London was the world’s hub of pop culture.
Powered by three key elements; Youth, Affluence & the Mass
Media.
While a new aristocracy of Rock Stars and Trendsetters ruled
the roost, Pop Art took a witty and detached view of
contemporary consumerism, and architecture looked towards
a utopian future.
(Rainer Metzer, writer and cultural historian/professor of History of Art at Academy of
Karlsruche, Germany.)
LONDON IN THE 1960S.
3. Swinging London is a catch-all term applied to the fashion and
cultural scene that flourished in London in the 1960s.
It was a youth orientated-phenomenon that emphasised the
new and the modern. It was a period of optimism and
hedonism, and a cultural revolution.
The main catalyst was the recovery of the British economy
post World-War II, which lasted throughout the majority of the
50s.
“There seemed to be no one standing outside the bubble, and
observing just how odd and shallow and egocentric and even
rather horrible it was” (Private Eye)
SWINGING LONDON.
4. The Union Jack became a key symbol for the 60s; it was used
in fashion, sports and transport.
It was a key element of the Mod movement
It became a symbol of the 1966 World Cup.
It became a marketing tool following the launch of Mini-
Cooper in 1959.
SYMBOLS OF LONDON.
5. There were two areas of music that really excelled during the
60s.
Firstly there was what the states called ‘The British
Invasion’, led by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks & The
Who.
The style of music that came from the British Invasion is
under the categories of Blues-based Rock music/Guitar-driven
rock/pop.
The second music movement that took over was Psychedelic
Rock, such as Jimi Hendrix & Pink Floyd.
The popularity in this music grew as the popularity in Pirate
Radio stations grew.
MUSIC.
6. During this period, both fashion and photography was a focal
point in ‘Queen’ magazine, attracting attention to Mary Quant.
Jean Shrimpton became one of the first Supermodels, during
the 60s was the highest paid and most photographed model.
The model to act as Shrimpton’s competition was Twiggy.
The most popular shopping areas during this period were
Carnaby Street and King’s Road; where Mod originated.
FASHION.
7. In 1964, a radical change came to fashion that would last for
ever, this was the introduction of the Mini skirt by Mary Quant.
From here designers started to push out the longer hemline.
The Mini-dress was typically either A-line or Sleeveless shifts.
The leaders of this fashion was the British Mods, they had a
fashion rival however the Rockers.
FASHION.
8. In the late 60s as the economy and the countries mood
altered, so did the fashion.
In 1968, a new feeling in fashion moved in and the
androgynous hippie look took style.
The key items to this trend were; bell-bottoms, tie-dye, work
shirts and headbands. Sandals took over as the shoe of
choice.
FASHION.
9. This is one of the few decades were there wasn’t one specific
hair style; women’s hair ranged from bouffant styles to pixie
crops.
Men would be usually seen wearing a sophisticated hat;
however towards the end of the 60s, with the hippie
movement men tended to ditch the hats in favor of bandanas
and would let their hair grow long. They also allowed their
facial hair to grow, from sideburns to full beards.
HAIR.
10. The 60s marked a transition between the ladylike looks of the
’50s and the free-spirited glamor of the ’70s.
The early and mid ’60s, which brought about a more playful
approach to makeup and the use of color. Voluminous
hair, lots of eyeliner, and the pixie cut also made their way
into mainstream style during this decade.
The 1960s were all about dramatic eyes and paler lips.
BEAUTY.
Notas do Editor
“The name Swinging 60s came from the Pirate Radio Station which was favoured by the youth in the 60s, ‘Swinging Radio England’.
The 1966 World Cup won by England, reinforced the pride that the country was gaining for itself once more. Mini Coopers status in popular culture was quickly on the rise and was then when Italian Job came out it really solidified their place in our culture.
Ironically the music that influenced this new invasion that took over the states was actually theirs to begin with. The influences stemmed from early US Rock ‘n’ Roll, which had actually lost pretty much all it’s popularity by the invasion. The Rolling Stones were perceived by the US public as a much more 'edgy' and even dangerous band. They stated themselves that they were much more influenced by black-oriented rhythm and blues. This image marked them as separate from artists such as the Beatles, who had become a more acceptable, parent-friendly pop group.
Queen was a high society magazine. Jean Shrimpton was known as The face of the 60s. and is still considered as The symbol of Swinging London. Even though Shrimpton was a higher paid model, it was Twiggy that captured the heart of the public and is still highly symbolic of the 60s and known as The Queen of the ModsThe fashion in the 60s really reflected youth culture and the freedom that came in that time.
The Rockers, followed the trends and designs typically known for the 50s American Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The key items really lived up to the angrogynous ideal and was born by both males and females.
Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick were known to sport this look.