The Past in Vogue - 1970s

This is the first post of a series – The Past in Vogue. Obviously, by Vogue, I mean the magazine and by Vogue magazine, I mean the fashion bible! As I have detailed on many occasions through my blog, I love previous eras of fashion and researching them. I asked myself, what better way is there to gain an insight into fashion history, than collecting vintage Vogue magazines? So, that is what I am going to do!

My first buy was a fabulous Vogue magazine from March 1974, it has a Bianca Jagger cover, photographed by Eric Boman.

 

The editor at the time was Beatrix miller, who had an incredible rein, with 18 years in the position. She was only to be succeeded by Anna Wintour, who enjoyed a brief time as editor, before she headed to American Vogue.

Favourite Article

The issue was an international special and has features on each fashion capital and the star girl of the moment in each location. Not dissimilar to something you would read today.

My favourite being ‘Rome Sweet Rome’ featuring Vittoria Gaetani d’Aragona, the beautiful 17 year old pictured with her 6 month old son, it is just Bellissimo!

Favourite Advert

A Guinness advert, with a target audience of... yes wait for it, ‘The new women’. One who wears ‘his trousers’ and yes, drives ‘his car’! Enough said I will leave it at that.

Obvious differences in advertising in 1974 adverts focus on fur, cigarettes and tights! Although my September 2013 issue shows and abundance of designers using fur, so I guess fashions will always continue to reinvent themselves.     

Favourite Quote

I love this description of the latest evening-wear ‘wrapped, silky, tied, bare and terrific...’ (p131)

Overall, the looks that are pictured are what you would imagine for the 70s. Long dresses, in floaty or silk fabrics, with a wrap round belt and the essential head scarf. Over-the-top colours, prints, silhouettes, the 70’s in a nutshell and I love it!

Lizzie x