The Revival of Micro Skirts
From Mary Quant to the iconic Miu Miu mini skirt, it remains the youthful symbol of women’s liberation and hedonism.
We saw the rise of mini skirts on several runway presentations of Prada, Chanel, Miu Miu, Hermès, and many others.
The revival of the mini skirt can be attributed to the creation of Mary Quant’s designs in the 1960s, where she held the power to transform the way women dress. Her revolutionary and ingenious vision broke down the many walls of beauty standards and dress codes then. Her legacy has reset the dial on societal standards of how one should dress. To Quant, high hemlines represented “life and tremendous opportunity." Ultimately, it was a symbol of renaissance and a subversion of traditional social and gender roles.
One of the biggest faces of the trend then was British model, Twiggy. Known for her eccentric style and bodacious makeup looks, her dauntless attitude reinterpreted the spirit of the era and provided a new twist to the style. With her short pixie cut, she eludes an androgynous look, making her a worldwide sensation.
The other unsung heroine was British singer and television personality Cilla Black. She possessed unpolished naturalness, and always had a keen eye for fashion design. One of the most iconic mini dresses she wore was her red velvet mini dress, designed by John Bates for her wedding. These two icons bolstered the trend to its fame. Women from that time started adopting the looks of Twiggy from head to toe, rebelling against their parents.
Fast forward to the 21st century, a reimagined version of the mini skirt resurged again in the early 2000s. Pop idols and celebrities like Devon Aoki, Paris Hilton, and Kelly Rowland were spotted wearing low-rise micro skirts.
Following the return of Y2K styles, micro skirts are once again relived on the runway, flashing risque yet chic looks. Designers have reinterpreted the design by adding a touch of their House’s signature aesthetic. This trend has been widely populated globally, we now see people of all genders and ages adorning short hemlines. The deviant spirit of declassifying masculinity and femininity is still ingrained in today’s society, further pushing the boundaries of non-binarism.
