One of the most iconic images of the 1970s is of Bianca Jagger riding into Manhattan nightspot Studio 54 on a white horse. The club finally closed its doors in 1991, but the legend lives on. Fashion, art, music and sex collided and the clubbing experience changed forever.
The 'disco look', further popularized by the release of Saturday Night Fever in 1977, involved sequins, platform sandals, wrap dresses and irresistibly wavy hair. This particular style is seen again and again in contemporary designer collections and I've noticed that customers are asking for more evening dresses from this period.
The fashion icons of the 1970s continue to inspire magazine editorials as well as the runway...
Anjelica Huston (left)
Lauren Hutton
Diana Ross
Beverley Johnson
Anjelica Huston
Diane von Furstenberg in her own design, 1976
Cheryl Tiegs getting in the party spirit, 1975
Liza Minelli
The set design for Studio 54's New Year's Eve parties was legendary. One year event manager Robert Isabell ordered four tonnes of glitter to be dumped on the floor, creating a 4" thick layer which owner Ian Schrager compared to 'dancing on stardust'.
In this short video Studio 54 regulars Michael Jackson, Truman Capote and Grace Jones explain why the club was so popular...
Sterling St Jacques & Pat Cleveland partying on Halston's balcony, 1975
Fashion designer Halston was a Studio 54 regular and his clothes became synonymous with the disco era.
Halston with Anjelica Huston
In 2008 the label was revived by Harvey Weinstein, Tamara Mellon and Rachel Zoe. Marios Schwab and Sarah Jessica Parker were taken on as creative directors. The disco-luxe aesthetic remains...
H by Halston, 2011
H by Halston, 2011
In 2010 a documentary about the designer was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival:
Fashion editorials became inspired by the disco sets of Studio 54...
Sequin dress by Biba
Jerry Hall in Vogue
Kate Moss celebrates her 34th birthday party
Harper's Bazaar UK, Sept 2011
Disco-inspired gowns at Elie Saab
Lana del Rey turned up to the Met Ball earlier this year looking like a vampy disco goddess. We have a very similar cape and dress - to get Lana's look, click here.
Leelee Sobieski working the 70s glam look
We sold this original 1970s maxi dress to a customer earlier this year:
After the sexual revolution of the 1960s, the following decade brought about a self-exploratory and more daring sensuality. Magazines such as Nova claimed to be a 'politically radical, beautifully designed, intellectual woman's magazine'.
This translated into more provocative fashion photography...
Jerry Hall for French Vogue by Helmut Newton, 1978
The rainbow make-up of the discotheque is still fashionable today, including the pointed manicure...
Here's a 1970s make-up tutorial from the fabulous girls at Pixiwoo, filmed at the Chanel pop-up beauty boutique in Covent Garden earlier this year:
We have a fantastic selection of original 1970s evening dresses in stock at the moment...
To view in our online store click here
To view in our online store click here
Disco-style accessories are still very popular. Charlotte Olympia's beautiful perspex 'Pandora' clutch has interchangeable fabric pockets to co-ordinate with your outfit...
Gianmarco Lorenzi's ridiculously over-the-top platforms, as seen on Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Katy Perry...
No post about Studio 54 would be complete without Anita Ward's disco anthem. Push back the furniture and start shakin' it!
oooOOOooo
