1970s Feminism

Feminism-

 "the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality to men."- Oxford Dictionary.


"Why have there been no great women artists?" - Linda Nochlin.

The question was not asked until 1972 after years of great art made mostly by men. Women were the subject of years worth of art without any of it being made by one.

Women's lives throughout Western history shows us that they were expected to bear children, cook and clean as opposed to having opportunities to go to school to study the arts like men. Even if a women showed great artistic talent her future as a mother would be much more important than pursuing her artistic potential.

Drawing by women was seen as an occasional recreational skill which only rich women would be able to undertake.

The Feminist art movement was the name given to the rise of female artists in the sixties and seventies which began in America.

The Equal Pay Act began in 1963 and the Executive Order 11375 banned gender discrimination from 1967.

Feminism in Fashion:

Compared to women in the nineteenth century, women now have much more freedom and and rights. Fashion began to change for women during the first World War when they were required to work whilst the men were off fighting for the country. This meant that they required more practical clothing.

Coco Chanel's designs catered for the working women as they were considered simple and practical. Flannel blazers, straight linen skirts and jersey sweaters formed her collection which were inspired by menswear. This convenient day wear meant that women wear able to work to a better efficiency. Unfortunately, after the men returned home after the war, women were relieved of their jobs in industry and sent back to the kitchen.

In wasn't until the 1966 when Yves Saint Laurent designed Le Smoking. Saint Laurent wasn't the first person to make trousers tailored specifically for women, however, it was the first of its kind to draw attention to the industry as well as the public. The style of the pantsuit has been popular ever since and is a common choice for office wear in modern day society. The pantsuit is considered by many to be a symbol of women being considered as independent individuals in the workplace.

Mary Quant's miniskirt was created with the hemline between six or seven inches above the knee. When it first hit the market it was extremely controversial, however more people came to except this development in fashion and it became a worldwide trend. The miniskirt was thought to be a sign of womens liberation in the late nineteen sixties.