London: the fashion center of the UK

London is famous all over the world for its cutting – edge street fashion.

In the 1960s it was the center of a cultural revolution: young people wanted to feel free, try new experiences, have fun and enjoy life. Fashion became more comfortable and in famous street like Barnaby Street and King’s Road informal shops opened. Mary Quant’s shop, Bazaar, sold miniskirts, hot-pants and skinny – rib – sweaters. Men’s clothes changed too; collarless jackets, slim-fitting trousers and colorful skirts were worn by important artists like the Beatles and Pink Floyd.

Before the 1960s clothes were made mainly of cotton and wool but, during the 1960s, synthetic fabrics like polyester became popular because they were cheap, easy to dry. With these fabrics, designers created their bright colors and geometric patterns.

The 1970s were the years of punk fashion and bands like the Sex Pistols wore Vivienne Westwood’s clothes. She was the pioneer of this eccentric style.

Another famous London fashion designer is Stella McCartney, Paul McCartney’s daughter. She started to draw her clothes when she was only 13 and now a lot of celebrities wear her dresses. Stella creates sports clothes for Adidas and for the British Olympic and Paralympic teams.

But the oldest luxury fashion brand is Burberry, founded in 1856. Everybody knows its famous checked pattern and its classic waterproof trench coats. In Burberry’s store in Regent Street, in the West End, you can design your own trench coat.