This is the POP! Design, Culture, Fashion Exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in 2012. This exhibition explores how much of a revolutionary impact music, art and fashion made during one of the most iconic eras of the 50s, 60s and 70s. A new wave of rock 'n' roll and youth culture emerged in the 1950s America, which took the country by storm. There was a combination of popular images, music, art and fashion that made history and changed the way people dressed, as well as pushing the boundaries of commerce, culture and style. The 60s era saw the cool stylings of the Mods, the high baroque of Psychedelia and the kitsch glamour of 70s retro by designers such as Mr Freedom and Miss Mouse.
ROCK 'N' ROLL 1956-1959
Poster, for the British release of Elvis Presley's first album Love Me Tender, 1956
The 50s was the year of rock 'n' roll from 1956-1959, we saw a flood of rock 'n' roll genre music from the first teenaged pop and rock stars with artists exploding into the scene such as Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent and Little Richard. This piece of textile fabric (below) was created as a skirt for Presley fans.
(Photographs above) A group of cups and saucers with 'chemist print' designs by Susan William-Ellis from 1962. SWINGING LONDON 1964-1967
Film still, 1953. Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler in the iconic teen movie The Wild One.
The Swinging Sixties was a term that was first used by Time Magazine in their issue of 1966 to define a carefree lifestyle aimed for the youth in London. The image of the 60s was associated with fashion for the young and a number of designers such as Mary Quant and Biba (Barbara Hulankicki), as well as the iconic models such as Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy, whom were faces of the 60s.
This ski jacket is a screen-printed PVC by Apres and the 'Toros' design is by Picasso, 1963.
Mary Quant not only designed the mini-skirt but she also had her own makeup range and I am loving these Twiggy tights, fake eyelashes and hanger.
(Above) Monochrome PVC coat and striped double-breasted blazer with bold shoulder blades
A Rose and a Mystic eye (Audrey Hepburn's eye) by Harry Gordon, 1967
The paper dress was the ultimate pop throwaway, originated in American in 1966. The paper caper dress was a promotion to reinforce a paper product by the Scott Paper Company. It was a runaway success and sold almost half a million dresses until the fad reached it's final stage in 1967.
(Below) I love how the effect of these psychedelic patterns make your eyes go funny! I am a huge fan of the black and white monochrome patterns - it feels like a true embodiment of swinging London.
THE FUN PLACE 1969-1973
(Above) A pair of shorts in Zandra Zhodes' lipstick fabric, 1967. I am loving this lipstick print! It's a very statement piece and such a quirky and retro print.
(Above) This is the strawberry print fabric and t-shirt (1972) by John Dove and Molly White for the Wonder WorkShop. Screen-printed cotton satin appliqued with Swarovski rhinestones.
These cushions were designed for Carnaby Street by Simon Eva. With the increase of high pop interiors becoming informal, traditional forms of sating were replaced with inexpensive bean bags. Simon Eva's designs were screen-printed with images of Hollywood stars such as Clint Eastwood and Charlie Chaplin in a And Warhol-esque style.
(Above) A mini dress in Zandra Rhodes 'All over with Mr Man and exploding cigar' fabric, 1968. Dress design by Sylvia Ayton. The Fulham Rd Clothes Shop. I love this classic Campbell's tomato soup shopping bag. 
(Above) Love that Campbell's Soup printed shirt! This jacket is called 'Oodles of Poodles' for Mr Freedom, 1970 by Brent Sherwood, screen-printed in satin. Pop musicians were many of Mr Freedom's clients. Elton John was one of the boutique's biggest fans and wore the 'Oodles of Poodles' jacket on an event where himself and Mac Bolan made an appearance on Top of the Pops in 1971 playing the song, 'Get It On.'
PUNK 1975-1976
Punk was a very dark but iconic era. It was rebellious that shocked people. Designer Vivienne Westwood was responsible for creating the punk subculture. It had arrived at the exact moment where it wanted to give punk a voice and form to the growing despair of an increasingly dispossessed younger generation. The dark mood of the era resonated by Westwood's Punk designs and was about being anti-fashion.
Anarchy in the UK bondage shirt for seditionaries, 1976 by Vivienne Westwood. Made from cheese cloth and metal. Screen-printed graphic design by Jamie Reid. This bondage shirt is probably the most memorable item of Westwood's early creation of punk fashion creations.
The Ramones was acknowledged as the first true Punk band founded in 1974 during the New York Punk movement. Their first album was released in 1976 and was hailed a critical success by the influential magazine Punk.
The moment I heard about this exhibition, I had to see it as I am a huge fan of 60s and Swinging London in general. During that time, there was a gap in the market. There wasn't any youthful fashion for the young. From the BBC2 British Style Genius (2009) documentary I watched, they said there was either children's clothes or mature women's fashion. Most young girls would borrow clothes from their mothers and there wasn't anything for the young...that was until designers such as Mary Quant, Biba and Foale & Tuffin, (to name a few) came along to create fashion for the young and essentially shape the revolution of the 60s. It was a very cool era to be part of, but it wasn't just about fashion, there was also the emergence of music from the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. It was a explosion of a youth-driven revolution that influenced flourishing art, music and fashion.
Whilst at Uni, I studied so much about the 60s and 70s for contextual studies and writing this post has re-educated myself in these eras that were so influential and historic.
Thanks for reading,
x
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