Fashion is malleable, effervescent to the needs and demands of the modern woman. Throughout history, style has transformed to accommodate the social and economic eras. In recent times, vintage trends have gained popularity as fashionable fans reflect back on previous silhouettes to gain modern inspiration.
For their current issue, Teen Vogue entitled an editorial ‘Comeback Kids; Re-Interpreting Decades Past’. The shoot features youthful models exhibiting a range of contemporary designer pieces which reference the infamous trends of previous decades.
Decade: The Twenties
Ada is photographed wearing a dress by Jill Stuart, Jeremy Scott by Linda Farrow glasses, bangles by Alexis Bittar and shoes by Diane von Furstenberg.
Iana is photographed wearing a M. Missoni dress, necklace by Aurélie Bidermann and clutch by Edie Parker.
Milica is photographed wearing a Jill Stuart dress and shoes by Marni.
Fashion during the Twenties is symbolised by women’s liberation. The female race was no longer habitually constricted by narrow silhouettes and for the first time ladies opted for comfortable clothing such as trousers and skirts with short hemlines.
The silhouette of this period, although comfortable, was also flattering. Garments were fitted close to the body whilst the flapper style minimised waistlines and uniquely exposed vast amounts of skin.
Decade: Forties
Iana is photographed wearing a coat by Carven, glasses by Mykita & Alexandre Herchovitch, CeCe Toppings collar, clutch by Marc Jacobs and shoes by Calvin Klein Collection.
Ada is photographed wearing a dress by Jill Stuart and Marc by Marc Jacobs boots.
Milica is photographed wearing a Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan, blouse and shorts, a hat by Gucci and bag by Donna Karan New York.
World War I attributed huge influence to the fashion and styles of the Forties. Uniqueness in clothing became extinguished as uniformity and dull palettes were embraced. One was encouraged to mend and patch older items with purchases rationed to a limited number of coupons.
This era, due to limited financial resources, promoted minimal material with even shorter hemlines, bare legs and buttons curtailed to three-a-piece on a garment.
Decade: Fifties
Iana is photographed wearing a Burberry Brit cardigan, skirt by J.W. Anderson, glasses by Linda Farrow Luxe, bag by Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton shoes.
Ada is photographed wearing a blazer and shirt by McQ, skirt by Marc Jacobs and shoes by Oscar de la Renta.
Milica is photographed wearing a shirt and bag by Marc Jacobs, pants by J.W. Anderson, hat is stylist’s own and shoes by Jimmy Choo.
As designers approached the 1950′s the utilitarian attire, which become popular in the previous decade, quickly became monotonous and dreary to create. The ‘New Look’ which launched at the beginning of this decade included embellished round shoulders, narrow waistlines and full skirts.
The opulence which was previously deprived, suddenly became universally exhibited. During the beginning of this decade rationing was still mandatory but women craved the luxury they were once accustomed to. This affluent form of dress maintained prominent throughout the entire decade.
Decade: Sixties
Iana is photographed wearing a coat and trousers by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti and sunglasses by Tsumori Chisato.
Ada is photographed wearing a plastic raincoat by Burberry Prorsum and dress by Shoshanna.
Milica is photographed wearing a dress by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti and Marc Jacobs collar.
Decade: Seventies
Iana is photographed wearing a vest by Michael Kors, turtleneck by M. Missoni, Mulberry shorts, hat by Eugenia Kim and Marni shoes.
Milica is photographed wearing a knit cape and turtleneck by M. Missoni, See by Chloé trousers and bag by Fendi.
During the decades of the sixties and seventies, women chose to adapt an androgynous style. It was no longer unusual for women to wear trousers or shorts each day. These two eras are also synonymous with bell bottom pants, daringly short miniskirts, blue jeans and hot pants.
As the Seventies approached it was often difficult to distinguish between what styles were ‘in vogue’ and which were not due to the vast catalogue of styles and trends available.
Decade: Eighties
Ada is photographed wearing a jumper, skirt and shoes by D&G and belt bag by LeSportsac.
Iana is photographed wearing a dress and shoes by D&G and bangles by Alexis Bittar.
During the Eighties, clothing and fashion represented one’s financial / social status and power. With the decline of the previous decades’ repressive approach to fashion, Paris and New York became alight with a gargantuan number of customers seeking to buy pieces direct from the designers.
In this decade, fashion began to become affordable for the masses with producers replicating key pieces from the season, at a percentage of the cost, for the general public. To further nurse the economic burden many suffered, designers such as Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger began to create Ready to Wear collections to appeal to the less affluent purse.
Decade: Nineties
Ada is photographed wearing a vest by Isabel Marant, shirt by American Apparel, trousers by Calvin Klein Collection, bracelet by Chloé and Birkenstock sandals.
Iana is photographed wearing a dress by Helmut Lang, silver cuffs by Michael Kors and Birkenstock sandals.
Milica is photographed wearing a dress by Stella McCartney and Birkenstock sandals.
The final decade before the millenium highlighted a divergence from the opulence and luxury that was acquainted with the Eighties. Instead, women exhibited a comfortable silhouette which was prominently influenced by music. The rock ‘n’ roll movement incurred trends such as flannel shirts and ripped jeans whilst the hip hop genre influenced the popularity of baggy trousers.
In the future decades, how will the population rate the trends and fashion decisions of the present day. What should we, as an era, seek to be remembered for? How have we been influenced and by whom?
The editorial was photographed by Jason Kibbler with styling by Fashion Editor Nancy Rohde.
