Ever since the summer we have seen new twists on the tunic dress and trapeze line cuts. The mood is set to continue well into spring/summer 07 and Paris leads the way with design houses such as Balmain promoting leggy mini-dresses and Sixties inspired shifts. Meanwhile, Balenciaga combined 60s futurism with 80s gloss for a whole new look.

Want to check out some 60s original designs for yourself? Then visit Sixties Fashion – A Retrospective sponsored by Miss Selfridge at the V&A. On until 25 February 2007 you can examine designs from the likes of Mary Quant, Young Jaeger, Jeff Banks and Biba.

The 60s were a time of dramatic change in the UK. For the first time the youth market had money to spend and with it an explosion of mass market fashion, music, boutiques, clubs and film hit the scene. London was swinging and hemlines, much to the horror of parents, were on the up. Along with fashion and accessories dating from the mid-50s to the early-70s you can also watch ‘In Gear’ a 60s documentary about all that was hot, or should I say groovy, at the time.

Key 1960s Fashion Designers

• Cristobal Balenciaga
• Biba - Barbara Hulanicki
• Pierre Cardin
• Caroline Charles
• Andre Courreges
• Marion Foale & Sally Tuffin 
• Zandra Rhodes
• Mr Fish 
• Mary Quant

Sixties Fashion sponsored by Miss Selfridge

Where: Exhibition room 40, Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London. www.vam.ac.uk

When: Until 25^th February 2007

Admission: Free