FIFTY YEARS OF FUN

French actress Brigitte Bardot shows off a shortened skirt in London September 2nd 1966.

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If today controversy regarding women’s apparel is fueled by the Free the Nipple movement, half a century ago the piece of clothing that challenged the perception society had of women is something that 99.99% of ladies in the western world own: the miniskirt.

Although, to some of us, this item might appear to lack value, in the 1960s when it was first distributed, it took the world a little bit off guard. Not only did this sudden parading of legs cause conflict on the streets, it was source of debate between big names of the fashion industry. Coco Chanel and Christian Dior absolutely did not adhere to this new must-have. They both agreed the knees were the most hideous part of the female body and should by no means be exposed to the public eye.

Undeniably, this was a way for women to take control of their body as well as of the image that society had of them. The world had to look at women differently because women looked at themselves differently in the aftermath of World War II. It was only a matter of time before their attire caught up with their revolution.

Mary Quant in the Sixties © PA Photos

Picture CREDIT: PA Photos/www.paphotos.com

Although it was created in the 50s, the mini didn’t become this liberating symbol until 1962 when British designer Mary Quant started presenting it as tool for young women in the UK to express their individuality, to dress according to their own standards. Three years later, exactly fifty years ago this year, renowned French designer André Courrèges brings this piece to haute couture by presenting more futuristic forms of the Quant inspired skirt.

In a supers mini moment, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell at the London Fashion Week Designer of the Year Awards held at the Museum of Natural History in 1991.

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Be it a 60s’ skater skirt, 70s’ denim skirt or a glamorous tube skirt from the 80s, we can all agree that the mini is not just practical, it’s viciously feminine. Middle-aged women’s reaction to the miniskirt can be heard in footage of the time belonging to the French National Audiovisual Institute: “C’est la mode, c’est la mode!” they exclaimed with a hint of condescendence. Young women, on the other hand, fully aware of the response their provocation was obtaining and refusing to take themselves or the world too seriously, proclaimed they were wearing the miniskirt for fun. 

Sarah Jessica Parker as the style-influencing Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City June 4^th 2000.

HBO/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION