Space Age: Futuristic Fashion Designed by André Courrèges From the 1960s

André Courrèges (9 March 1923 – 7 January 2016) was a French fashion designer. He was particularly known for his streamlined 1960s designs influenced by modernism and futurism, exploiting modern technology and new fabrics. Courrèges defined the go-go boot and along with Mary Quant, is one of the designers credited with inventing the miniskirt.

Courrège’s Spring 1964 collection established his impact on the fashion industry and named him the Space Age designer. The line consisted of “architecturally-sculpted, double-breasted coats with contrasting trim, well-tailored, sleeveless or short-sleeved minidresses with dropped waistlines and detailed welt seaming, and tunics worn with hipster pants”.

A notable look was the linear minidresses with revolutionary tailoring with cut-out panels that displayed waists, midriffs and backs. Courrège had strong beliefs within the liberation of fashion. He emphasized that “A woman’s body must be hard and free, not soft and harnessed. The harness – the girdle and bra – is the chain of the slave.” Which is why his cut-out panel garments were worn without bras.

Accessories were inspired by astronauts equipment such as; goggles, helmets and flat boots. White and metallic color ways were implemented to emphasize the futuristic collection. He utilized unconventional materials such as metal, plastic and PVC which was unusual for couture ateliers.

The entire collection was celebrated with British Vogue announced that 1964 was “the year of Courrèges”. The New York Times described him as “the brightest blaze of the year” to emphasis the change from the little black dress to the white dress. Designers such as Pierre Cardin and Paco Rabanne taking influences towards “future” fashion looks. With new popularity, his designs trickled down to mass production companies that created affordable designs similar to Courrèges.

André Courrèges, Dresses, photographed by F.C. Gundlach, 1965

André Courrèges, Ensemble, photographed by F.C. Gundlach, 1965

André Courrèges, Ensemble, photographed by Peter Knapp, 1965

André Courrèges, Dress, photographed by William Laxton, 1960s

Audrey Hepburn in André Courrèges Hat, photographed by Douglas Kirkland, 1965

See more»

Amazing Vintage Photos Show the Sydney Opera House While It Was Being Built From 1957–1973

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the facility formally opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition.

The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, occupying the site at the time of these plans, was demolished in 1958 and construction began in March 1959. The Sydney Opera House was built in three stages: stage I (1959–1963) consisted of building the upper podium; stage II (1963–1967) the construction of the outer shells; stage III (1967–1973) interior design and construction.

1952. The tram shed at Bennelong Point Circular Quay before the Sydney Opera House was built.

Jan. 3, 1957. Judges review entries in the design competition for the new Sydney Opera House.

Dec. 30, 1958. The tram shed at Bennelong Point is demolished to make way for the construction of the Opera House.

Sept. 1, 1959. The site of the Opera House is prepared for construction.

June 20, 1960. Tradesmen working on the construction of the Sydney Opera House live in caravans on-site at Bennelong Point.

See more»

Toffs and Toughs: The Photo That Illustrates the Class Divide in Pre-War Britain, 1937

“Toffs and Toughs” is a 1937 photograph of five boys: two dressed in the Harrow School uniform including waistcoat, top hat, boutonnière, and cane; and three nearby wearing the plain clothes of pre-war working class youths.

The picture was taken by Jimmy Sime on July 9, 1937 outside the Grace Gates at Lord’s Cricket Ground during the Eton v Harrow cricket match. It has been reproduced frequently as an illustration of the British class system.

(via Rare Historical Photos)

With Nylon Stockings Scarce, Women Painted Their Legs Using Gravy Juice During the War Years

When America took part in World War II in 1941 that DuPont company stopped producing nylons, reorganizing its factory for the production of parachutes, airplane cords and rope and asking women to donate their used stockings to the war effort so that they soon became hard to find.

That's why thousand of women started to draw on their legs in order to obtain a 1940s nylon look, using the most creative and unthinkable brown household items they had: from gravy browning to coffee passing by cocoa powder.

See more»

20 Interesting Stories About The Beatles’ Abbey Road Album Cover You Probably Didn't Know

Abbey Road is the eleventh studio album released by The Beatles in 1969. The recording sessions for the album were the last in which all four Beatles participated. Although Let It Be was the final album that the Beatles completed before the band's dissolution in April 1970, most of the album had been recorded before the Abbey Road sessions began.

The image of The Beatles were walking on the zebra crossing has become one of the most famous and imitated in recording history. The crossing is a popular destination for Beatles fans and there is a webcam featuring it. Check out these amazing Abbey Road cover stories and fantastic behind the scenes photos:

Front

1. The title

Abbey Road album artwork

The album's working title was Everest, named after the cigarette brand that sound engineer Geoff Emerick smoked. The packets had a silhouette of Mount Everest on them and The Beatles liked the imagery.


2. Paul suggested for the cover shot

The front cover design, a photograph of the group traversing a zebra crossing, was based on sketched ideas by McCartney.

Initially, the band intended to take a private plane over to the foothills of Mount Everest to shoot the cover photograph. But as they became ever more impatient to finish the album, Paul McCartney suggested they just go outside, take the photo there and name the album after the street.


3. Time and place

Empty crossing on Abbey Road, taken on the morning of The Beatles' album cover shoot, 8 August 1969.

The photo was taken on 8th August 1969 outside EMI Studios on Abbey Road. At around 11:30 that morning, freelance photographer Iain Macmillan, who was a friend to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, was given only ten minutes to take the photo whilst he stood on a step-ladder and a policeman held up the traffic.


4. The photo shoot

The cover picture was taken about 6 times. The band crossed the road a number of times while Iain Macmillan photographed them. Shortly after the shoot, Paul chose the fifth one for the album cover. Here are the shots:

Photo 1 from a limited edition print.

Photo 2 from a limited edition print.

Photo 3 from a limited edition print.

Photo 4 from a limited edition print.

Photo 5 from a limited edition print, as the album cover. For publication, the photo had some color corrections, and also possibly the very blue sky was painted in.

Photo 6 from a limited edition print.

5. Fashion

The Beatles waiting to cross Abbey Road.

With the exception of Harrison, the group are all wore suits designed by Tommy Nutter.

See more»

Rare Photos of John F. Kennedy and Wife Jackie Vacationing With Friends in Cape Cod, 1961

Dozens of never-released photos show former President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie, in their swimsuits enjoying a day at the beach on Cape Cod.

They were taken in August 1961 by Washington Post heiress Katharine Graham at the estate of Rachel “Bunny’’ Mellon and her banker husband, Paul.

John F. Kennedy and Listerine heiress Rachel 'Bunny' Mellon relaxing outside on the deck.

Jackie and her host, banker Paul Mellon, are pictured chatting on what appears to be the deck of the Cape Cod property.

Jackie Kennedy, who was known for her impeccable fashion taste, is pictured in many of the images looking incredibly casual and carefree.

John F. Kennedy can be seen swimming alongside a male companion

John F. Kennedy wearing his back brace, which was designed to help alleviate his chronic back pain - and which he is believed to have been wearing on the day of his death.

See more»

Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Laraine Day arriving at the New York International Airport, 1954