Helmut Newton
24.06.2025
The influence of street fashion on haute couture: a revolution of styles and ideas
25.06.2025Helmut Newton
24.06.2025The influence of street fashion on haute couture: a revolution of styles and ideas
25.06.2025
In today's world of fashion and cinema, there is often a surprising phenomenon - a return to the style of past decades. This is especially evident in the popularity of films about the eras of the 50s, 60s and 70s, which not only delight viewers with their aesthetics, but also actively influence modern trends. So how do historical films shape fashion today and why do the classics remain relevant?
Films about post-war America and Europe, such as Breakfast at Tiffany's or Roman Holiday, bring back images of sophisticated dresses with flouncy skirts, thin jackets and classic hairstyles. These films inspire designers to create retro collections with an emphasis on femininity, neat lines and colourful accessories such as gloves, large sunglasses and pearls. In modern times we can see a return to Christian Dior's ‘New Look’ style, popular in the 50s, which is becoming relevant again thanks to film images.
Films about hippie culture and the fashionable catwalks of London and New York at that time - for example, ‘Fashion House’ or ‘The Diamond Hand’ - inspired bold experiments with colours, prints and silhouettes. Mini-skirts, bright dresses with geometric patterns, platform boots - all this actively appears in modern collections thanks to popularisation through cinema. The images of heroines of such films as ‘Barbarella’ or ‘Fashion Verdict’ became symbols of freedom and individuality, which is now reflected in street fashion.
The 70s era: disco, boho and
rock ‘n’ roll
Films about disco culture, rock music and rebellion - such as Saturday Night Fever or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - made wide flared trousers, brightly coloured tops, leather jackets and massive jewellery popular again. The influence of this period is particularly noticeable in contemporary street fashion and the collections of designers who use elements of boho-chic or rock ‘n’ roll style. Cinema helps us understand the spirit of the era: the freedom to express oneself through clothing.
Visual style as a source of inspiration
Cinema creates vivid images of heroes with recognisable styles. These visual solutions can be easily adapted for modern clothing.
Nostalgia and the desire to bring back the classics
Many people appreciate the aesthetics of the past for their elegance and uniqueness. Films help revive interest in classic silhouettes and details.
Popularisation through media
Contemporary TV series (e.g. Mad Men) or film remakes stimulate interest in the style of past decades.
Influence of film stars on fashion
Famous actresses of those times (Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot) remain the benchmarks of style - their images are actively used by designers.
Historical films about the 50s, 60s and 70s not only tell us about the culture of those times, but also serve as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for modern fashion. Returning to the classics through cinema helps to preserve the uniqueness of the styles of past eras and adapt them to modern trends. As a result, fashion becomes a bridge between the past and the present - it continues to live on thanks to the vivid images of the screens of the last century.