1967 And All That...

The BBC documentary about British Summer Of Love emerged recently on YouTube. I vaguely recall seeing it on television when it was originally broadcasted in 2007. This hour-long program is devoted to music, fashion and youth culture in late 1960's Britain. Among talking heads there are Bill Wyman, Donovan, Tony Blackburn, Mary Quant, Barbara Hulanicki, Nigel Weymouth and many more.

Most of the important events that took place in London in 1967 are discussed here (although not in much depth) - there are bits on UFO scene and the birth of counter culture, Redlands bust and following trial of Jagger and Richards, Sgt Pepper, Chelsea boutiques, the rise and fall of pirate radio stations (and the birth of Radio 1) and many more.

 Admittedly, the program is packed with various cliches, and it seems to completely ignore the fact that most of the 'phenomena' discussed in it were already going on long before the year 1967 - like Mary Quant's miniskirt or Vidal Sassoon's Five Point Cut. Still, there are enough colourful and lively clips here to keep you entertained for an hour, and the interviewees, if they are not particularly informative, at least try to be funny (apart from Donovan, who neither informative, nor funny). For those who do not know much about 1960's Swinging London, it is a good introduction to the subject.

Dandy in Aspic meets Mary Quant in person!

My girlfriend, me and Mary Quant, 16.03 2012.

It is not often you find yourself in such a close presence of your hero(ine), so we are still shaking from excitement. Yesterday evening, 77 - year old Mary Quant made a rare public appearance, giving an hour-long talk at the lecture theatre of Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The main subject of the talk, was of course, her career as a fashion designer in the 1960's. She is currently promoting her recently published autobiography. 

Although the book is titled Autobiography it is not a traditional autobiography (some might remember that Mary Quant had already written one - Quant by Quant published in 1966). Indeed, one has an impression that more appropriate title of  the book would be "World according to Mary Quant". It is a collection of thoughts and reflections on such diverse subjects as Dogs, Food in France or Position of Women,dominant subjects, of course, being fashion and 1960's. Each chapter is  two, three pages long, and each usually contains a humorous anecdote. It is a warm, witty and very interesting account of a career of  the most important fashion designer of 1960's. 

After the talk, Mary Quant was signing copies of Autobiography. My girlfriend and I were thrilled when she agreed for us to have our photo taken with her. And our signed copy is gonna be one of our most cherished possessions.