The 1960's a decade of change.
The 1960s saw an explosion of colour, gone were the quiet understated designs of the 1950s and in rushes the garish, clashing and surprisingly pleasing designs of the 60s.
It seemed that following the horrors of the 40s and world war, then the devastating national poverty of the 50s the 1960s crashed through the door like an enraged brightly decorated elephant.
Everything about this decade seems to shout, there were mods and rockers. The beginning of the flower child movement and the squares who just didn’t get it.
The 60s gave birth to the teenager, as a real individual, up to this point boys dressed like their dad’s and probably followed them into the office or factory. Girls would be taught how to look after the house and bring up the children. The baby boom generation however did not see this in their futures.
Music was the driving force behind this cultural shift. Teenagers no longer wanted to dress or be like their parents. Fashion changed beyond recondition and art blossomed to reflect the feelings of the age. Bright colours and bold patterns were the order of the day. Clothes and soft furnishings were designed with large print colourful patterns. Living rooms, lounges, parlours and kitchens shed their dowdy austerity and were swathed in colour.
Indian patterns, batik, paisley, and tie die were the fabrics of choice.
The fabric designers of this decade seemed to just go for it. All bets were off and the trends swung from fabulously elegant, Audry Hepburn in Givenchy to Twiggy in the stylings of Mary Quant.
Barbara Hulanicki, the founder of the clothing line and shop Biba, used influences from Art Nouveau and Art Deco in her fabric designs.
The reality is that examples of Art Nouveau can be found throughout the art and fashion of the 60s. In everything from fabric patterns to the artwork in posters and record sleeves.