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Tuesday 3 August 2010

Iconic decade of design revisited




'Retro style and design' is currently the name of the game. I certainly enjoyed travelling back to yesteryear for a blast from the past with a modern day twist, when I read a this ‘fab’ new book.

Dominic Lutyens and Kirsty Hislop have really captured the Zeitgeist of the seventies in their glossy tome – 70s Style and Design. Focusing on the key trends of the era, their book is a visual demonstration of just how vitally important the period was for the creative arts.








From pop art, post modernism (so that’s what inspired those chairs?) and derivative timeless style (think la Belle Epoque, The Jazz Age and the Surrealist movement) - to the origins of eco-friendly cool: this beautifully illustrated coffee table style bible of the 70s has them all.







With curiously appropriate 1970s style pull out pages, the colourful volume is a roll call of pivotal designers – and not just of fashion, but a lifestyle. Yves St Laurent, Vivienne Westwood, Zandra Rhodes, Bill Gibb, Biba, Laura Ashley and Fiorucci to name but a few – many of whom, as individuals or labels, are now making a comeback.
















By the way, if you’re a lover of ‘70s style and design, check out the vintage shoes new in at ShopCurious, including the design shown left, from Biba (soon to be reborn at House of Fraser), and a highly collectable pair of de Havz by stalwart style leader of the ’70 and ‘80s scene, Terry de Havilland.




Anyway, as I was saying, if you'd like to see‘70s illustrations, magazine photos and some of the most amazing art, architecture and design of the day, this book is a must.

Of course, for all 40-60 somethings who lived through the decade, it’s essential reading and will bring back fond memories of peace symbols and liberation – both for women and men - plus platform shoes, floaty dresses, punk style piercings and uncontrollably contagious disco fever.





























The ‘70s was a decade of many incarnations all rolled into one, and was hugely influential in terms of interiors and design. I think a similarly eclectic mix of styles is something we’ve also experienced over the past decade…

Do you?

11 comments:

Jan said...

So often the 70's gets bad press, (sometimes justified) but it was colourful at least.

Susan said...

Yes, curiously colourful, but creative too...The '70s have been called 'the decade that style forgot', but the subsequent influence of this era in terms of design in fashion and interiors has been huge.

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

I wonder where's Zandra Rhodes these days~ Adore 'blast from the past' post Susan!

Susan said...

Funny you should ask that Lenore, you must be psychic - I saw her only yesterday!

www.janetteria.com said...

Those Terry de Havilland sandals...Ahhaaaa!

Please don't forget to enter for gift certificate by Novica for $75. ♥

Couture Carrie said...

The shoes in this post are delectable!

xoxox,
CC

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Adore her shocking pink hair~ I'm sure she is quite a character!
thanks Susan~

,psychic*

ilikestuff said...

I love the Biba shoes and the Terry De Havillands. I have a pair of those (new, not vintage) and they're so cute and also totally comfortable!

martine said...

very very good an colorful post.
thanks for this '70s post.

Martina!

Annie Wright said...

I used to go to Biba when I was a little girl. Heaven!!

Mónica said...

totally agree, last decade was a very mixed one... great pics