How Sartorial Expression Was Used in the 1970’s, “Melancholy was the Mood” Natasha Poly

Posted Apr 18, 2012

Utterly unrecognizable, Natasha Poly delivers a tour de force performance, as a 70’s Queen, in the May issue of Vogue Japan.  Way beyond wigs, this epic transformation is anything but “skin-deep,” in Daniele & Iango’s, “Melancholy was the Mood.”  Capturing the essence of that era, Natasha embodies both the feminine & masculine styles that so marked the spirit of those times.  From the chic androgynous vibe of a black/white tuxedo, to the opulent-mystery of a sheer-lace, gypsy night-dress – this stunning combination of new & vintage pieces – reminds us of when fashion stood for more than a trend.  The fashion-hero’s of the 1970’s were an eclectic mix of artists/rebels (think Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, Jade Jagger), that used sartorial expression as a way to voice their social/political views.  Standing up for what you believed, often extended into your closet.  The power of your passion was something that was often expressed, but also measured, by your clothing choices.  Being derivative wasn’t an option.  If you had something to say – it was expected that you would find your own unique “voice.”  The artistic-standards were high, and thus, many rose to the occasion. People had to earn their right to be “creators,” they had to earn their right to be “heard.”  And because this group of young people so completely honored the ideology of artistic-reverence, their vision is still relevant today.  An innovative force in the industry of modern beauty & fashion, we look back and see the energy of a generation still wielding a monumental level of influence on current designs.  And while we can’t re-create the “purity” of those years, we can acknowledge that there has never been a time when the lines that separated gender, color and sexual-preference have been more blurred, and that says something.