Swingin' Sixties for Spring

I have a confession: I'm constantly mocked for my lack of movie knowledge. The problem is compounded by the fact that I am surrounded by culturally aware people who think my favorite movies (Dirty Dancing, The Devil Wears Prada, Valley Girl) are to important film what popcorn butter is to paté. So, I'm thrilled to have seen and enjoyed An Education. It is a charming, lesser-known film by Nick Hornby about a young girl's romantic education in 1960s London when she nearly gives up her dream of attending Oxford when an older, worldly man sweeps her off her feet. I'm proud I saw the film because not only is star Carey Mulligan rightly considered a potential Oscar nominee, but it was also filled with witty dialogue, pretty Paris vignettes, and of course, swingin' sixties style.


Carey Mulligan in An Education
Photo from Sony

While watching our heroine's transformation from sloppy schoolgirl to sixties chic, I was reminded of a Spring 2010 collection inspired by Richard Avedon's postwar fashion photos. Designer Barbara Tfank--looking very Jackie O at her September presentation with a dark bob cut and a mod pink coat dress--created a collection of spring dresses and coats inspired by Avedon's "charm and movement and wit," with a definitive sixties feel.


Barbara Tfank Spring 2010
Look #2: Navy Silk/Cotton V-Neck Cap Sleeve Pleated Dress & Red Patent Belt


Barbara Tfank Spring 2010
Look #5: Black/White/Grey Floral Boxy Jacket with Matching Pencil Skirt


Barbara Tfank Spring 2010
Look #12: Tangerine Cotton/Silk Dahlia Flower Full Skirted Dress


Barbara Tfank Spring 2010
Look #9: Coral Silk Ikat Poppy Tucked Dress
Tfank's sixties style gets a current-day touch when shown in the stark warehouse space in the Meatpacking District.

Though I prefer the harsh 80s resurgence in my own wardrobe, Spring 2010 definitely features a softer, 60s touch. And don't you think Barbara Tfank's dresses are perfect for a romantic rendezvous with a mad man of your own?


Photo from Sony

The runway photos are my own.