Sixties London was the cultural hub of the world, powered by youth, affluence, and mass media. A new generation of rock stars and trendsetters shaped pop culture as Pop Art commented on consumerism and architecture looked to the future. London in the 1960s represented youth, modernity, and optimism in a period dubbed "Swinging London" as the economy boomed. Symbols like the Union Jack came to represent the era's fashion and culture as British rock bands like the Beatles rose to fame. London in the 1960s was defined by revolutionary changes in music, fashion, beauty and hair as a new generation embraced self-expression.

1. Soho.1960S LONDON.

2.  Sixties London was the world’s hub of pop culture.
 Powered by three key elements; Youth, Affluence & the Mass
Media.
 While a new aristocracy of Rock Stars and Trendsetters ruled
the roost, Pop Art took a witty and detached view of
contemporary consumerism, and architecture looked towards
a utopian future.
(Rainer Metzer, writer and cultural historian/professor of History of Art at Academy of
Karlsruche, Germany.)
LONDON IN THE 1960S.

3.  Swinging London is a catch-all term applied to the fashion and
cultural scene that flourished in London in the 1960s.
 It was a youth orientated-phenomenon that emphasised the
new and the modern. It was a period of optimism and
hedonism, and a cultural revolution.
 The main catalyst was the recovery of the British economy
post World-War II, which lasted throughout the majority of the
50s.
 “There seemed to be no one standing outside the bubble, and
observing just how odd and shallow and egocentric and even
rather horrible it was” (Private Eye)
SWINGING LONDON.

4.  The Union Jack became a key symbol for the 60s; it was used
in fashion, sports and transport.
 It was a key element of the Mod movement
 It became a symbol of the 1966 World Cup.
 It became a marketing tool following the launch of Mini-
Cooper in 1959.
SYMBOLS OF LONDON.

5.  There were two areas of music that really excelled during the
60s.
 Firstly there was what the states called ‘The British
Invasion’, led by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks & The
Who.
 The style of music that came from the British Invasion is
under the categories of Blues-based Rock music/Guitar-driven
rock/pop.
 The second music movement that took over was Psychedelic
Rock, such as Jimi Hendrix & Pink Floyd.
 The popularity in this music grew as the popularity in Pirate
Radio stations grew.
MUSIC.

6.  During this period, both fashion and photography was a focal
point in ‘Queen’ magazine, attracting attention to Mary Quant.
 Jean Shrimpton became one of the first Supermodels, during
the 60s was the highest paid and most photographed model.
 The model to act as Shrimpton’s competition was Twiggy.
 The most popular shopping areas during this period were
Carnaby Street and King’s Road; where Mod originated.
FASHION.

7.  In 1964, a radical change came to fashion that would last for
ever, this was the introduction of the Mini skirt by Mary Quant.
From here designers started to push out the longer hemline.
 The Mini-dress was typically either A-line or Sleeveless shifts.
The leaders of this fashion was the British Mods, they had a
fashion rival however the Rockers.
FASHION.

8.  In the late 60s as the economy and the countries mood
altered, so did the fashion.
 In 1968, a new feeling in fashion moved in and the
androgynous hippie look took style.
 The key items to this trend were; bell-bottoms, tie-dye, work
shirts and headbands. Sandals took over as the shoe of
choice.
FASHION.

9.  This is one of the few decades were there wasn’t one specific
hair style; women’s hair ranged from bouffant styles to pixie
crops.
 Men would be usually seen wearing a sophisticated hat;
however towards the end of the 60s, with the hippie
movement men tended to ditch the hats in favor of bandanas
and would let their hair grow long. They also allowed their
facial hair to grow, from sideburns to full beards.
HAIR.

10.  The 60s marked a transition between the ladylike looks of the
’50s and the free-spirited glamor of the ’70s.
 The early and mid ’60s, which brought about a more playful
approach to makeup and the use of color. Voluminous
hair, lots of eyeliner, and the pixie cut also made their way
into mainstream style during this decade.
 The 1960s were all about dramatic eyes and paler lips.
BEAUTY.