Short and sweet!
The miniskirt, a jewel in the crown of the sixties fashion, still holds a special place in the hearts of many fashionistas. The garment, however, originated more than 3000 years ago, say archaeologists. They found Vinca Figurines, from the Vinca culture, which looked like women in miniskirt-like garments.
The next stated example of a miniskirt-like garment, called the banana skirt, was worn by Josephine Baker in the 1920s for her performance in the Folies Bergere. That skirt was later called a mini skirt. But the term “mini” skirt started being used in popular culture only from the 1960s.
Although, several designers took credit for the design of the mini skirt, most significantly two designers, London based Mary Quant and
Parisian Andre Courreges have been the most popular and loved for their mini skirt designs. Quant claimed she was the first to design the skirt and name it after her favorite car, the Mini. Then again, contemporary fashion journalist Marit Allen, stated that British designer John Bates was the first to come out with these fashionable skirts. Big design houses such as Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent have also offered these skirts during that period. But not all designers supported the trend. Industry honchos like Coco Chanel and Christian Dior were against the trend when it was initially released. The Netherlands even banned the skirt for some time. Where
there's sex appeal, there's controversy!
Interestingly, the popularity of the miniskirt started when the manager of an unknown Oxford Street store displayed a skirt that stopped an inch above the knee on a mannequin. He was surprised to see the positive response of the onlookers. Extremely small skirts also became a staple of the early 20th century science fiction, especially in 1940s pulp artwork by Earle K Begey which showed women wearing metallic miniskirt, bra and boots. That fashion sort of started disappearing, but came back with a bang when cheerleaders started donning them for the games. In 1985, British designer Vivienne Westwood offered the “mini-crini”, an abbreviated version of the Victorian crinoline. After that, many women started wearing the miniskirt as a corporate attire.
As of now, the mini skirt has revived again, but not without its share of controversies. Being called “immoral” and “overexposing” many corporates have banned the mini skirt in their workplaces. There are many activist groups who have criticized the mini and in fact in 2004, a campaign against wearing miniskirt was launched in Mombasa in Africa instructing women to dress modestly and “shun miniskirts”.
Say what you will, the miniskirt is all about confidence, rebel, and embracing the forbidden. Select your mini skirt at Beverlyheels.com.
