The RTVE blogger, Rafael Muñoz, makes a fun chronicle about the miniskirt and what it has meant for women and culture… A story not to be missed!
theme night of TVE has presented two documentaries that develop concepts linked to freedom and the power of women. One is «The mini in short» that analyzes the influence of the miniskirt in the sexual and social revolution. The other is entitled «God save my shoes» and focuses on the symbology of this accessory that is closely related to fetishism, caprice and triumph. But let’s focus on the miniskirt, garment that sweeps this season.
The space adventure caused a radical change in the aesthetics of the 60s, a radical change in the style of fashion and decoration. New textures appeared -inspired by the metals of spaceships-, new shapes -reminiscent of the planets- and new proportions.
The patterns are cut out. In 1965, André Courreges causes fainting among the ladies and gentlemen of the more conservative classes by snipping at the skirt of their dresses. And nothing would be the same.
Stylishly cheeky new designs show off the knee and make space-inspired boots look even better. Young women, open-minded women and the press received this idea with joy, opening – among all – the door to a new era, to a new style.
But although the French were the first to show the knee, an Englishwoman was the first to propose the miniskirt. The slogan was «Save on cloth, splurge on freedom.»
And that freedom had germinated in society. Mary Quant She said in an interview that neither she nor Courrèges had invented the miniskirt, that the street had invented it”. Since then, there have been many trends that have been born on the asphalt or in a club and have later jumped onto the catwalk.
In Spain they took a while to see each other but Massiel She became the standard-bearer of the movement at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1968. The dress, precisely by Courrèges, cost a thousand dollars and with it she won first place.
We had to see it in black and white but years later we discovered that it was white and pink.
The fashion of the miniskirt caught on and gave headaches to many puritans of that black and white Spain. In 1971, three years after Massiel triumphed with his ‘La, la, la’ in the Royal Albert Hall in LondonManolo Escobar swept the radio with a Sevillian who, too, has gone down in history.
“I don’t like that you wear the miniskirt to the bulls. People look up, because they want to see your face and they want to see your knees.
Such heavy children do not stop looking at you. I rebel and I rebel, and I have to fight and I don’t see the bulls.
So you already know, don’t wear a miniskirt, because the bulls this afternoon, I want to see them, without fighting with anyone.
But the miniskirt, that locomotive of freedom, was unstoppable. It is curious that such a tiny garment contains such a great meaning. And although later, in the seventies, the trend was reversed and long, bohemian-style dresses were worn, the mini has always been there.
In the 80s, posh girls wore them in denim or plaid, combined with high-collared shirts, XXL earrings, jumpers private and colored bracelets. Those who opted for the gothic, punk or rock aesthetic had them in black leather, lycra or faded denim. It was, and is, a versatile garment, chameleonic. Shy and cheeky, fine and badass, elegant and bizarre.
They became a garment for day, afternoon and night. Ideal for cocktails and parties, and of course for weddings, especially civil ones.
versace He took them to Olympus with his catwalk goddesses, chanell he put them in the tweed tailor and Martine Sitton he mixed them with garments with an androgynous air.
Afterwards, the miniskirt has experienced a roller coaster of seasons, many times transformed into a minidress. We have seen it in all kinds of textures, with more or less centimeters, smooth, patterned but… always very feminine.
Today it is one of the clearest trends and the mini is in the collections of many national and international designers. Different looks and different styles but the same idea. The 2014/15 autumn and winter season has reinterpreted the sixties and, of course, minidresses and miniskirts are on offer. Gucci, Miu Miu, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Prada, María Escoté, Davidelfín, Amaya Arzuaga or Devota&Lomba are some examples.
Take the suitcase and travel to the sixties. You have until the end of winter because next season, spring and summer 2015, it’s time to pay homage to the seventies. So… put your pants away, it’s time to show off your leg!