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The Shock of the Knee

Fashion writer Colin McDowell traces the rise of the miniskirt in 1959, when hemlines shocked society. From January 2009.

Fashion writer Colin McDowell recalls the rise of the miniskirt and Yves Saint Laurent's 1959 House of Dior collection, which introduced hemlines above the knee, and the shocked reactions of society.

The press were agog at these developments, and even some Dior staff thought that Saint Laurent's designs had gone too far. At the same time in Britain, short skirts became increasingly popular with young women.

McDowell talks to one of the most important designers of the period, Mary Quant, as well as representatives of today's fashion industry, and wonders if womenswear will ever be as shocking again.

An All Out production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 25 Aug 2018 01:30

Broadcasts

  • Sat 10 Jan 2009 10:30
  • Fri 5 Jun 2009 11:00
  • Wed 21 Oct 2015 06:30
  • Wed 21 Oct 2015 13:30
  • Wed 21 Oct 2015 20:30
  • Thu 22 Oct 2015 01:30
  • Fri 24 Aug 2018 06:30
  • Fri 24 Aug 2018 13:30
  • Fri 24 Aug 2018 20:30
  • Sat 25 Aug 2018 01:30