No recent decade is more fascinating and prodigious than that of the sixties (1960-1970). The conservatism of the fifties (1950-1960) was followed by a period of extraordinary liberalism. New times marked by incredible vitality, tremendous inventiveness and audacity never seen before.
These years can be designated by the word «revolution» as the changes were numerous and radical compared to previous eras.
In 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved «the pill», an oral contraceptive, which would be at the origin of the new age of sexual liberation, of «free love». This is also the prelude to the emancipation of women and the liberation of morals.
The sixties revolution also manifested itself in culture and the arts. This was the advent of «Pop Art» with, among others, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
In music, rock & roll and psychedelic sound electrified the atmosphere with bands like : the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, the Doors, and Jimi Hendrix (picture above).
In the sixties, the progress is enormous on the scientific and technological levels (computers, first heart transplant, conquest of space, etc).
We are also witnessing a generational change. Young people are very numerous and they shake up the established order (students revolt in Paris, May '68). This translate into multiple demonstrations and demands : against the war (Vietnam), for civil rights, those of women, homosexuals and minorities.
In 1964, singer Bob Dylan summed up these upheavals well in his song «The Times They Are a-Changin» (video below, at the White House in early January 2011).
In politics it is also a complete renewal. The conservatives cede power to the liberals (John F. Kennedy in the USA, Lester B. Pearson in Canada). In Asia and Africa, it is decolonization.
Let us make no mistake. Many people say the sixties were the «golden years». This was not a golden age. In 1961, this is the construction of the shameful Berlin Wall. In 1962, the world is moving to a hair's breadth of atomic war, with the Cuban Missile Crisis. Then will follow the Kennedy brothers (John & Bobby) and Martin Luther King assassinations, the Vietnam war...
Despite the Peace & Love movement of the hippies, the world remains violent and dangerous in the sixties.
In these years, clothing fashion is also undergoing major transformations. For women, more and more liberated, and who do not want to look like their mother, it is the total shock with the fashion of tights, pantsuit, miniskirt and acceptance of bikini on the beaches. The use of synthetic materials is spreading for clothing.
It is a radical break with the fashion of the fifties. Such an important revolution that has a major impact that is still felt today. Periodically, in the decades that followed, the vintage fashion of the sixties reappeared or was readapted.
For fashion, it was a prosperous time with the domination of great couturiers such as : Saint-Laurent, Courrèges, Mary Quant, Paco Rabanne, Pierre Cardin... They can count on fabulous models or lovely stars to wear their creations : Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Ursula Andress, Raquel Welch, Marilyn Monroe, Jane Birkin, Catherine Deneuve, Twiggy (photo above), etc.
The silhouette of women is redesigned. The desire for thinness is exacerbated. Weight Watchers launched its diets in 1963. Two years earlier, Wonderbra had created its first push-up bra.
All accessories also go into «revolutionary» mode : whether glasses (futuristic style), jewelry (very showy and oversized), shoes (mid-calf boots), handbags (mini and flashy) and, of course, the famous miniskirt. From the mid-calf skirt of the fifties, we boldly switched to the mid-thigh miniskirt. Quite a leap into space !
On the bikini side, in the sixties we finally move to popular acceptance. Because in the fifties, women, in general, do not yet dare to wear it in public. Firstly, because in many countries it is prohibited under penalty of fines. And also, because it was considered indecent, according to the morality of the time, still strongly influenced by religion.
It's funny to note that in 1960, it was a funny little song that helped popularize the bikini, causing a marked increase in sales of this tiny bathing suit. Indeed, Brian Hyland is a great success with his song «Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini» (video below). Another proof that art can greatly influence culture and society..
