Until the mid 1960s fashion designers focused on pleasing adults, but this changed as the preferences and tastes of teens became just as meaningful in the fashion world and prices became more affordable for the youth of Australia. Before teens were considered in the fashion industry girls would dress as their mothers did, and most clothing items were homemade. Even if the teens of the time did not have enough money to buy the perfect shift dress or the groovy mini skirt their mothers were able to make them exact copies at home, making teens more independent and different from their mothers. Now teen girls are more independent, with the click of a button they can purchase clothing items online and have them arriving on their doorstep within weeks even days. This sudden change changed the fashion world and to this day teens are seen as an essential consumer in the fashion industry with teen fashion shops filling malls and the internet. Inspired by London especially, more fitted and sleek clothing with sharp lines, vibrant colours and groovy patterns were becoming trendy and commonly seen. The 1960s saw the appearance of the mini skirt, up until that time skirts and dresses in Australia finished at the knee. Shorter hemlines created huge controversy when they first appeared exposing centimeters of thigh never seen public. By the end of the decade shift dresses and miniskirts had become widely accepted. Miniskirts represent more than just a fashion breakthrough they had become an icon of the rebellion amongst the popular culture that characterised the 1960s. Teens became the target market for fashion designers of the mid 60’s making clothing fun and exciting with groovy patterns and radiant colours thus starting the ‘hippy era’.
Icon of the Mid 60s - Twiggy
London supermodel Twiggy was a fashion icon and trendsetter in the mid 60s with an exposed, abrupt and darling style. “A heroine for her time,” is how Vogue described Twiggy (Laird Borrelli-Persson, 2014). Twiggy was born on September 19th 1949 in London, originally named Leslie Hornby. Becoming famous basically overnight, Twiggy was seen on magazine covers and billboards representing the biggest brands and wearing the most popular styles. She was memorable for her exaggerated make-up, wearing false lashes, and bold eye shadows. Twiggy was often seen in mini skirts and dresses sitting at around six or seven inches above the knees, a shocking and scandalous move at the time. Twiggy was also seen in shift dresses, the shift dress was often complemented by an exaggerated collar or a button placket on the front. The dresses were usually covered in a nifty pattern of bright and bold colours. Twiggy's outfits were regularly topped off with large and colourful earrings and/or glasses. British supermodel Twiggy was admired by Australian teens, she was young, beautiful and exciting everything young girls of the 60's aspired to be.