The red shoes have decided
to take a trip. Oh god, they are so demanding! They could go to Paris. My feet
would love that. But no, that’s too trivial going to Paris for Fashion Week,
that’s what everyone does… They want to travel to the 1970’s. “Excuse me?!”
Yes, they want to travel in time. I wanted to explain them that they can’t but
they are so sure there’s nothing they can’t do. Who I am to deny it? I guess I
will just go with it…
Today I’m going to travel
in time. I must say I’m a bit skeptical about it but they are so confident…
According to them all I need is in my feet. Oh, I also need a LBD (little black dress) since it’s
always elegant. That’s all. No time machine. I must confess is strange.
OMG! It’s time! I don’t
think I can do this. I can’t keep my eyes open.
London, 1970
The city couldn’t be more
inspiring. The hippie style really caught on teens and miniskirts are a truly statement
since the late 60’s, when they were invented by Mary Quant. The androgynous quality
of the hippie style influenced most 70’s trends. Fashion hits of this decade were
not only mostly worn by women but also by men, such as the platform shoes,
cigarette pants, flare jeans and the three-piece suit. The interaction between music and fashion that
started mostly with The Beatles is huge in this decade and it will develop
throughout years leading to the creation of 80’s subcultures. But I’m getting
ahead of myself. This is 1970 and people still don’t know who John Travolta is
and how his style on “Saturday Night Fever” will change the way man and women
dress in the late 70’s. Oh no, I did it again, sorry! Before I go I still have
time to take a look at a group of three women across the street. It’s funny
they are wearing the three different skirt lengths of this time: the mini
skirt, the mid-calf-length dress which is called "midi" and the
ankle-length dress that is called "maxi". A couple walks beside me-
they are both wearing high-waisted jeans and tie dye shirts.
1974
New York
I love NY in the 21st
century but I‘ve got to say I think I love it more as I am experiencing right
now. It’s wonderful what a pair of shoes can do! Now I understand Marilyn
Monroe when she said that “Give a woman the right shoes and she will conquer
the world”. Well, I know that she didn’t say a thing about time travelling but
still, she was close. Well, I’m sitting in the front row of Diane Von Fürstenberg
show, watching the knitted jersey "wrap dress” being introduced to public for
the first time. In a time when fashion was becoming more androgynous she
challenged women to be feminine – “Feel like a woman, wear a dress”. The “wrap
dress” is also democratic since it flatters different body types and sizes.
London
I’m back to London and I
have to say that things have changed in two years. The glam rock, inspired by
David Bowie and Roxy Music, is a serious trend right now. Glitter and garish
are the key-words and second-handed shops gained truly importance. Style is
more important than the clothes themselves. Platform shoes, flared satin
trousers, silver futuristic outfits and tight lurex halter tops are taking over
the city.
1977
New York
I’m watching the premier of
“Saturday Night Fever” and it’s impossible to sit quite in the chair. John
Travolta’s three-piece suits caught men’s attention as an informal option to
wear in clubs. It was designed in multiple colors and it usually constituted by
flared trousers, wide lapels and high-rise vests. Disco was becoming a famous
genre of music and that deeply influenced fashion, mainly men’s wardrobes. The zippered
jumpsuits, leotards, tube tops, mules and silk blouses where news that became
statements. In 1966 Yves Saint Laurent had already created the women tuxedo
which became a hit among the most fearless women in the 70’s.
London (Year?)
I’m not quite sure of the year where I am right now. I’m in London in the early-mid 70’s that I know. I’m starting to realize what is going on. The kids around me personify my idea of punks. The punk movement was the ultimate reaction to the economic and political crisis. Its purpose was to “create through chaos”. Inspired by Vivienne Westwood, the Sex Pistols, Velvet Underground and Malcolm McLaren, among others, punk fashion required images of mass murderers and criminals elevated to an iconographic status, nose and ear jewelry, rubber fetish wear being subverted to become daywear, black PVC, died hair, pointy boots and pointy Beatle boots. It also regarded a strength component of DIY (do it yourself).
I’m not quite sure of the year where I am right now. I’m in London in the early-mid 70’s that I know. I’m starting to realize what is going on. The kids around me personify my idea of punks. The punk movement was the ultimate reaction to the economic and political crisis. Its purpose was to “create through chaos”. Inspired by Vivienne Westwood, the Sex Pistols, Velvet Underground and Malcolm McLaren, among others, punk fashion required images of mass murderers and criminals elevated to an iconographic status, nose and ear jewelry, rubber fetish wear being subverted to become daywear, black PVC, died hair, pointy boots and pointy Beatle boots. It also regarded a strength component of DIY (do it yourself).
Lisbon, 2012
I guess sooner or later I
would have to confess so I will just admit it: my shoes are not a time
machine. Well, at least literally speaking because I really felt the 70’s mood
while I was travelling with my imagination. The people, the colors, the
fabrics, the aviator glasses, the attitude… it all seemed pretty real. The reality
is simpler or far more complicated, depending on the perspective; I’m sitting
in front of the computer travelling throughout thoughts and pictures trying
to write an essay on how fashion influenced the English language in the 70’s.
That’s the truth… Wait a second. I guess I just did what I meant to. In the end
it was real, the trip was real. I could keep writing but there is somewhere I
need to be. I’m about to assist the birth of the preppy look of the 80’s in the
US but I guess that’s another story.
Red Shoes
