The peasant look killed the space age look. Yves Saint Laurent's gypsy collection was gay, colourful, soft and exotic. In 12 months the space age look disappeared and was replaced with flower power, hippies and a return to earth lifestyle. Students wore long flowing hair and faded denim jeans with army surplus shirts and combat jackets at anti-war rallies. The no make-up look and swirling psychedelic patters became popular. Afghans and Kaftans became popular and transparent silks were manufactured and worn draped around the body. Beaded accessories were sold in elegant stores. Fashion shows exhibited fringe and tassel dresses worn with head bands and sold in exclusive stores.

By the end of the decade cheep, flamboyant clothes became expensive designer labels. The hippy style became high fashion, in fact 'anti-fashion' became the biggest fashion of all.

Flower power and free love were the main ideas of the Hippies. They were rebelling against the establishment. India influenced the hippy movement. LSD and hallucinogenic drugs were the inspiration for the psychedelic patterns popular in tie-died fashions.

In 1969, from August 14 to the 17, 400,000 people turned up at Woodstock, it was the Summer of Love. "Make love, not war" was the catchcry. There were peace signs, daisies and love hearts everywhere. Time magazine called it "the great ground swell of popular movements that affect the minds and values of a generation or more" - Time magazine, Aug. 29, 1969.

Last updated: June 01, 2003

Sixties Central, Copyright 1998-2002 by Mandy Hoeymakers.
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