Vintage Fasion Guild Timeline 1960 - 1970
 ca. 1960 Oleg Cassini Wool Suit, courtesy Karen Kennedy, frockofages.com  ca 1961 Hardy Amies Suit, courtesy Poppy's Vintage Clothing at Babylonmall.com
In the U.S. in 1961 John F. Kennedy took office as president, bringing with him a beautiful, young wife and fashion inspiring First Lady. Jackie Kennedy's innate sense of style and dress soon made her 'Queen' of American fashion. The American designed short-jacketed sheath suits (at which U.S. based designer Oleg Cassini excelled) captured her passion for French couture style.
 ca 1964-65 George Halley Lace Baby Doll Dress, courtesy Deborah Burke, antiquedress.com  1967-68 'Youthquake' Dress, courtesy Lizzie Bramlett, fuzzylizzie.com
As the first wave of baby boomers came of age, the market shifted towards a more youthful silhouette. Teens dominated the fashion scene and in time adults adopted some of the looks of their offspring. The French 'Baby doll' look personified by Brigitte Bardot comprised shorter skirts and big hair. Eventually this gave way to the 'British Invasion' or 'Youthquake' movement with teens embracing the free and fun fashions of their London contemporaries. The "It" girl 'Twiggy' was seen on the covers of most fashion magazines, slinking about in colorful shifts and space-age prints. This helped convince the majority of women in the mid 60' to try the new styles.
 late 1960s Silk Pucci Sundress, courtesy Linda Ames, vintagetextile.com  ca 1966 Tent Coat Dress, courtesy Poppy's Vintage Clothing at Babylonmall.com
The movement towards modernity was conscious and international. Italian designers like Pucci created psychedelic palettes of color, transforming wearers of simple silk knit gowns into walking works of art. American designers excelled in casual, uncomplicated sportswear chic. French couture (mostly under the influence of Yves St. Laurent) explored other ideas, one of these borrowed pants and tuxedo jackets from menswear for the hip, liberated fashion-conscious woman. Some British designers even attempted to borrow the new mini skirt from women's fashion for menswear. This met with considerably less success, if not a stony silence.
 1968 Universal Studios Paper Dress, both courtesy Jonathan Walford, kickshawproductions.com  1967 Campbell's Soup Paper Dress, courtesy Jonathan Walford, kickshawproductions.com
The times, "they were a-changing" and fashion needed to follow suit. By 1967 the new fashion was scandalously baring more of the body than ever before - less is more, the modernist's creed, was now true. Even the most conservative suits were cut above the knee. The old etiquette (remember gloves and hats?) was out the door. Balenciaga even gave up his house in 1967 proclaiming, "Fashion is dead".
 ca. 1967-68 Leather Mini Dress, courtesy Hollis Jenkins-Evans, pastperfectvintage.com
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