New book on 1970s style relives the decade that fashion forgot

New book on 1970s style relives the decade that fashion forgot

Bell-bottom flares and fringed waistcoats may make modern fashionistas wince but it was all the rage in the 1970s.

A cartoonish silhouette of fitted tailoring with oversized collars, cuffs and ruffles epitomised the glam disco look while patchwork, suede and peasant tops were the staples of bohemian hippies.

These garish combinations earned the seventies the reputation of the 'decade that fashion forgot', but many of these looks continue to influence designers today - SS15 is set to be all about the maxi dress.

The dungaree saw a revival in 2013, led by Alexa Chung and co, seeing a huge surge in sales of the bib-and-brace overall.

Now, a new book provides an extraordinary overview of the 1970s, from haute couture to ready-to-wear.

Dress: special occasion dresses

Called Fashion in the '70s, it comprehensively documents the season-by-season fashions of the decade from hippy chic and peasant fashions to glam rock, slinky disco and rough-and-ready punk.

It features more than 400 totally original period photographs and illustrations, featuring clothes from Biba, Halston, Vivienne Westwood, Elio Fiorucci.

Leading trendsetters such as Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall, Lauren Hutton, Ali Macgraw, Iman, Twiggy and Debbie Harry also take centre stage.

Fashion in the '70s includes an introductory essay outlining the different fashion trends of the era and contextualises them against the socio-political movements of the time, from radical feminism to eco-consciousness.

Few conventions were left unchallenged in the an era of social movements, political mistrust, and not surprisingly, rich cultural diversity.

It was the 'Me' Decade, a reaction against 60s radicalism reflected in fashion, film, the arts, and music. It was the decade of disco: Who can forget the image of John Travolta and his magnificent steps on the dance floor in the movie Saturday Night Fever?

A biographical section in the new book features all the major designers and fashion houses, and gives an in-depth insight into the main movers and shakers of Seventies fashion.

Co-author Emmanuelle Dirix is a highly regarded fashion historian and curator. She lectures on Critical and Historical Studies at Winchester School of Art, Central Saint Martin's, the Royal College of Art and the Antwerp Fashion Academy.

Recent projects include the exhibition and book Unravel: Knitwear in Fashion, Fashion Sourcebook 1920's and 1930s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook.

Charlotte Fiell is a leading authority on twentieth century and twenty-first century design and has written and edited over 40 internationally best selling books on the subject.

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