As the mother of the miniskirt, Mary Quant revolutionized not only the fashion industry, but the feminist movement of the 1960s. She was a revolutionist. She turned future homemakers into "rebellious," independent women just by a raise of the hemline.
While tradition tried to keep the mini skirt away, women fought for what they wanted; and what they wanted was Mary Quant's risque new design.
"Risk it, go for it. Life always gives you another chance, another go at it. It is very important to take enormous risks." -Mary Quant
This is exactly what Mary Quant embodied. Her "enormous risk" revolutionized fashions and feminism of the future. She's the legend who led the Swinging London fashion movement of the 1960s. The one who, against tradition, took a risk. The icon that drove a feminist revolution with just a single item of clothing. And for that, we thank you, Mary Quant.
Last summer I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya and Tanzania on a "teen service and adventure" trip. As we were traveling to our first campsite, in the middle of the bleak, brown desert you could spot a group of red, blue, and purple far off in the distance. I soon learned that these spots of red, blue, and purple were the native Maasai people. The Maasai people are a traditional semi-nomadic, pastoral, polygamist, group native to East Africa. They are the cowboys of East Africa, some may say. These people live in small communities made up of a couple of tiny round mud huts. There is usually one chief who splits his time between his many wives and 30+ children. However worldwide, the Maasai are most known for their handcrafted, colorful beaded jewelry. I was sure to bring home tons of souvenirs to prove just how talented these people are.
Once I got back from my trip, I began noticing Maasai inspired clothing. The first magazine I bought while back in the States (Vogue, October 2012) featured an article chronicling Elisabeth von Thurn and Taxis' safari adventure to Kenya's Maasai Mara. I was astonished. This wasn't National Geographic this was Vogue! I immediately remembered all of the jewelry that I had bought while in Africa. We were so ahead of the times, so fashion forward, so chic.
So anyways ever since my first run in with Maasai culture in modern high fashion, I am beginning to see it EVERYWHERE! From Olivia Palermo's work as an ambassador for the Maasai project, which, with Spanish shoe company Pikolinos and the NGO Adcam, empowers otherwise suppressed Maasai women by allowing them to earn a living off of their bead work...
...To Marc Jacobs' Spring 2013 Ready to Wear collection, in which Jacobs used the bright red and blue fabrics of the native Maasai women for inspiration.
These beautiful African women have been wearing their traditional cloths of red and blue for hundreds of years, looks as though the fashion world is just beginning to catch on to their beauty.
Possibly the most underrated fashion muse of the 60s, French singer and actress Franciose Hardy is still influencing the fashion world as the inspiration for Givenchy's fall/winter 2013 collection. She simultaneously exuded tomboy edge and feminine class; a style feat in itself.
Franciose Hardy
Mixing edge and luxury, Franciose was effortlessly chic.
The Golden Girls have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. For my 13th birthday my parents even gave me the complete Golden Girls DVD collection. Needless to say, it was one of my parent's most successful birthday gifts. While most people wouldn't view the Golden Girls as some of the most prominent fashion influences, the clothing worn by these four women still have a way of coming back to us.
Baroque detailing is such a classic. We've seen little hints of it here and there throughout modern fashion, but it seems baroque is taking over the fashion world for fall/winter 2013. I personally think baroque is the perfect way to add glamour, drama, and class all at the same time. Some may call it too dramatic for the everyday woman, but I see it as a way to add luxury into everyday life. Live like Queen Elizabeth, even if its only a coat or shoe, it can still make one feel like a Renaissance queen.
