Tuesday 9 December 2014

Trend: 1970s influence on designer collections

The lush fabrics and bohemian designs of 1970s fashion were all over the runways for the Spring 2015 collections. Harriet Quick called the Seventies 'the decade fashion can't forget' in the Financial Times, and Vogue's Laura Weir hailed the return of 1970s 'night-time glamour'. 

Gloria Vanderbilt wearing Adolfo, Vogue 1970

Vogue, January 2015

I wanted to put together a collection of images from 1970s fashion photography that give a context to the current season. Trends are cyclical and it's interesting to see how contemporary designers are re-interpreting the decade that brought us glam rock, the 'tomboy' and of course disco. 

Gucci Resort 2015

Catherine Deneuve by Helmut Newton, 1976

Valentino Fall 2014

Lanvin advert c.1970s

Vogue Australia, 1972 

1970s style icon Margot Leadbetter


Twiggy in Biba


Grace Kelly with her family, 1974

Cybill Shepherd


Satin gown by Biba



Jerry Hall on the catwalk

Juno Says Hello has a selection of glamorous 1970s dresses, including this green and metallic silver knitted maxi dress with matching sash. Click here to view online. 



If you love vintage kaftans and maxi dresses, have a look at this post. I tried to fit in as many photos of Veruschka as I could find!


Faye Dunaway's post-Oscar breakfast, 1977


Tom Ford Fall 2014


Bianca and Mick Jagger


Jane Seymour as Solitaire in Live and Let Die (1973)


Cheryl Tiegs and Rene Russo, Vogue 1974


70s does 30s: Liza Minnelli in Cabaret (1972)


Anjelica Huston in Halston


Pam Grier


Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin


Grace Coddington by Helmut Newton, 1973

Pauline Trigère caped dress, 1973

I came across this amazing 1970s jumpsuit in the US earlier this year. It has long sheer sleeves and the culottes are made from silver woven fabric. Click here to view online. 



I've written a separate blog on how 1970s disco influenced fashion - for more images of Bianca, Studio 54 and Halston click on this link.

Gucci Resort 2015

The 1970s independent woman 

1970s fashion editorial

Fashion by Chloé in L'Officiel, 1977

Fashion's Front Row in 1974 - with DvF and Nan Kempner

Loulou de la Falaise, Yves Saint Laurent & Betty Catroux, 1978

Photograph by Jeanloup Sieff, 1978

The Seventies rediscovered the 'tomboy' as a style icon - last seen in the menswear-inspired collections of Coco Chanel in the 1930s.

Miu Miu Resort 2015

Ossie Clark fashion show, Chelsea Town Hall 1970

Anjelica Huston (right) in high-waist flares

Charlotte Rampling

Peggy Lipton (mother of Rashida Jones)

Farrah Fawcett

Romy Schneider, 1972

The wave of feminism that began in the late 1960s permeated the literature, art and fashion of the 1970s. Erica Jong's Fear of Flying (1973) introduced women to the idea of a bolder sexuality and politically radical magazines such as London-based Nova encouraged women to celebrate, rather than suppress, their instincts. 


In 1973 Playgirl was founded as a response to erotic magazines such as Hustler. At its peak it had an annual readership of over 20 million.


Fashion photography was at the forefront of this exploration of female sexuality, including this 1976 portrait by Helmut Newton: 


Iconic French photographer Guy Bourdin was known for his provocative images, offering a 'radical alternative' to mainstream fashion imagery:



See more of Bourdin's amazing photography at Guy Bourdin: Image Maker at Somerset House. The exhibition is on now until 15th March - to buy tickets online, click here

Donna Jordan photographed in 1977

Christie Brinkley photographed by Chris von Wagenheim, 1977

Designers such as Halston fused this spirit of emancipation with disco-inspired clothing, using new fabrics such as lurex:


Not forgetting the hair & make-up...


Joanna Lumley's trend-setting 'Purdey' haircut



There are many brilliant style manuals from the 1970s, but none more hilarious than Princess Luciana Pignatelli's 'Beautiful People's Beauty Book'. Read her biography here - and if you want to borrow the book, I have it in the studio!


To view a selection of original 1970s dresses from Juno Says Hello, please click on this link. If you would prefer to visit the showroom in Ladbroke Grove, get in touch. Feel free to come in for a browse over a glass of wine - with no obligation to buy. All purchases are gift wrapped and include a scented candle in our new tuberose fragrance.