Two months ago I visited the exhibition "From Earth to Space" dedicated to 1960s fashion, from the collection of the Alexander Vasiliev Foundation, in Visaginas (Lithuania). Partially this exhibition was previously exhibited in Sydney, Baku, Istanbul, St. Petersburg and Moscow, Riga and Daugavpils, but it was presented in this volume for the first time. In addition to 50 dresses, the exhibition featured rare modernist accessories made by the best fashion firms of that time - hats, shoes, handbags, jewelry, as well as vintage photographs reflecting the fashion trends of the 1960s.
The 1960s was one of the most interesting eras in fashion history: mini-skirts and coloured tights appeared, the fashion for short haircuts and bright makeup returned. The youth born after the war embodied the fashion revolution.
Casual orange wool coat type dress with white collar panel from ready-to-wear line "Couture future". Andre Courreges, circa 1966, Paris, France.
On the left: Yellow wooden sleeveless dress embellished with two metal buttons and metal chain on the front. Louis Feraud, circa 1966, France.
On the right: A-line day dress made of contrast white and red coloured linen and celluloid ring buckle on the chest. Pierre Balmain, circa 1965, Paris, France.
Summer orange mini dress with two navy round applications in the 8-shape. Velvet Illusion, circa 1967, London, Great Britain.
Turquoise and black woolen suit, consisting of a mini dress and a jacket with a black front in the livery style. Elio Berhanyer, circa 1965, Madrid, Spain.
The first flight into space and the landing of the first man on the moon influenced not only science but also fashion. Fashion designers have created "space" collections using innovative, modern synthetic materials and finishes.
Casual day futurist mini dress in jersey of green and navy colours, with an interlacing bicolor puzzle design. Pierre Cardin, circa 1966, Paris, France.
Double-breasted navy wool dress with white trimming and back skirt over-panel. Sals Fifth Avenue, circa 1966, USA.
"Do-It-Yourself" disc dress made of metallised rhodoid pellets and metal rings, originally presented as a kit in a plexiglas case. Paco Rabanne, circa 1996, France. Paco Rabanne first created his metal disc dress for his 1967 Couture collection. This dress revolutionized fashion and it is number 14 on the Marie Claire list of "The 50 Dresses That Changed Fashion". In 1966 Paco Rabanne created a Do-It-Yourself version of the famous dress, like this one, packaged in a plastic suitcase.
On the left: Trousers suit with vinyl consisting of black trousers and white jacket with black polka-dot. Joy Stevens California, USA.
On the right: Black and white double-breasted coat made of "sky" imitation leather. Andre Courreges, circa 1965, Paris, France.
On the left: Vinyl square puzzle-piece panel dress, made of mostly black puzzles with some white inserts on the bottom. Pierre Bory, circa 1970, Paris, France. Such type of dress had been sold in a kit in a cylindrical box with additional puzzle pieces, with instruction leaflet demonstrating the various imaginative creations which can be made.
On the right: Silver padded synthetic futurist spaceman inspired costume with front zipper closing. Free, circa 1969, Paris, France.
Woolen mini dress with openwork bottom in futuristic style. Pierre Cardin, circa 1965, Paris, France.
Silk quilted A-line coat with lame embroidery. Norma Modelle, circa 1966, Sweden.
On the left: Vinyl skirt embellished with silver thread square ornament. Circa 1968, Europe. Transparent white dotted raincoat. Circa 1965, Hong Kong.
On the right: Evening lycra polyester jumpsuit with a wide glittery embroidered belt. Jean Lutece, circa 1969, Hong Kong. Plastic transparent black dotted cape. Rain smart, circa 1965, Hong Kong.
In 1965, Yves Saint Laurent presented a collection in which he paid tribute to the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. Saint Laurent created straight dresses, without collars and sleeves, depicting copies of the painting Composition with Red, Yellow, and Blue (1935). The dresses have acquired the same museum and artistic value as their original paintings.
Mondrian-style woolen dress with white and red cubes, separated with black bands. In style of Yves Saint Laurent models, circa 1965, USA.
Also at the exhibition were presented clothes in a classic style - suits and evening dresses.
Golden lame cocktail suit consisting of a jacket and a dress with a halter neckline. 1962-1963, France.
Couture silver and gold brocatelle cocktail ensemble with a sleeveless bodice and below-the-knee-length skirt. Balenciaga, 1964-1965, Paris, France.
Woolen suit consisting of a jacket with attached faux blouse cuffs, patch pockets with flaps, and a dress with a sewn lame sleeveless blouse. Ein Fink Modell, circa 1965, Germany.
On the left: Evening suit in lame embroidered with chenille thread, consisting of a short jacket and a long skirt. Jean Tourre, circa 1968, Paris, France.
On the right: Long sleeveless lurex jersey evening dress with a belt. Pierre Balmain, 1967-1968, Paris, France.
Sleeveless dress made of silver lurex with tweed pattern. Berliner Modell, circa 1960, Germany.
Brocade suit consisting of a strap mini dress and a bolero jacket. Circa 1965, Europe.
Cocktail jacquard ensemble with dress and jacket, bodice embroidered with rhinestones and beads. Bernetti, circa 1960, New York, United States.
Golden brocade sleeveless cocktail dress with two rows of matching buttons. Circa 1965, Europe.
Mauve colours woolen jersey mini dress with a belt run through embroidered cringles. Abella Paris, circa 1966, Paris, France.
On the left: Cocktail gown in golden and green brocade with beading around the round neckline. Circa 1960, Europe.
On the right: Gold lame evening gown with belt imitating buckle in green velvet. Vogue Paris Original, circa 1968, Paris, France.
Evening dress with a short train in green colour silk satin with iridescent plastic beads decorating the top and the bottom. Jacques Heim, circa 1963, France.
Evening coat in silver silk tulle embroidered with golden lame ribbon. Chloe, circa 1965, Paris, France.
Brocade gown embellished with golden thread, beads and rhinestones embroidery in floral pattern. B. Altman & Co. department store, circa 1963, USA.
Evening dress suit in blue and gold jacquard decorated with golden string. Yves Saint Laurent, circa 1965, Paris, France.
Lurex jersey evening gown embroidered with transparent plates imitating anaconda print. Christian Dior, circa 1965, France.
On the left: Light blue cocktail silk dress embroidered all over with beads and rhinestones. Guy Laroche, 1960-1961, Paris, France.
On the right: Long-sleeved cocktail dress of blue colour decorated with beads, artificial pearls and sequins. Slic-wear, circa 1965, Hong Kong.
Evening ensemble consisting of a draped chiffon dress with beaded tulle bolero jacket. Circa 1962, USA.
Silk crepe evening gown with glitters embroidered bodice. Hardy Amies, circa 1962, United Kingdom.
Evening light blue brocade dress with polar fox fur decorated hem and white ribbon belt with a bow. Isabell Gerhart, circa 1963, Houston, United States.
Haute couture metallic silver brocade suit, consisting of a jacket, a top and a skirt, with floral mushroom color pattern. Christian Dior, circa 1965, Paris, France.
Lame brocade evening two-piece dress with purple, cream and gold amorphous print and dark blue beaded trim. Christian Dior, circa 1964, Paris, France.
Me at the exhibition:
