What We Wore | A history of fashion from 1720 to 1982
Men, Women and Clothes | Sense and Nonsense in Fashion
Irrational clothes - a look at why we wear things we can't function in.
CHANNEL | BBC Television Service
FIRST BROADCAST | 28 April 1957
DURATION | 14 minutes 34 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1957
Synopsis
In the second programme of the series, Doris Langley Moore looks at impracticality in fashionable clothing and how it has been popular throughout history. Impractical, ornate clothes signified a person of leisure who took no part in manual labour. This particular fashion imperative was turned on its head, of course, with the arrival of the Swinging 60s and the democratisation of fashion brought about by people such as Twiggy and Mary Quant.
Did you know?
Famous faces to watch out for in this episode include actress Vanessa Redgrave and her mother Rachel Kempson, actor Ron Moody - famous for his role as Fagin in the film version of 'Oliver' - Dora Bryan, stalwart of British cinema throughout the 1940s and 1950s - and the celebrated stage actress Irene Worth.
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Documents
Letter from Clarence House about 'Men, Women and Clothes'
The Queen Mother sends her appreciation of 'Men, Women and Clothes'.
Audience Research Report on Men, Women and Clothes
The BBC's report into what audiences thought about the first episode of 'Men, Women and Clothes'
'Radio Times' Special Supplement on Dressmaking - Part One.
The first of a two-part, graphics-laden supplement to accompany the series 'Clothes That Count'.
'Radio Times' Special Supplement on Dressmaking - Part Two.
The second of a two-part, graphics-laden supplement to accompany the series 'Clothes That Count'.
Audience Reaction to 'New Clothes That Count'
Viewing figures for the programme and responses from members of the public.
A BBC memo about a book tie-in.
Suggestions for ways of extending the popularity of the television series on knitting.
A forthright memo replying to a publications executive.
A no-holds-barred rejection of suggested ideas for books to accompany the TV series.
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