Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture

This exhibition explores how in the mid 60s a handful of Chelsea boutiques sparked a fashion revolution.

Individuality was key to the Chelsea boutiques. In the 1960s there were changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality inspiring new ideas and freedoms of expression. Fuelled by new radical young designers, catering to an elite group of artists, aristocrats and musicians ready to express themselves: the beautiful people.

The Fool designs on the Apple Boutique stairs. Models Anke Ferris, Charlotte Martin & Renate. Copyright Karl Ferris.

“We are young, rich and beautiful, and the tide – we through – was turning in our favour. We were going to change everything, of course, but mostly we were going to change the rules.” Marianne Faithful.

Mick Jagger Gear on the Warpath Mick Jagger the Grenadier Guards Mandatory credit: ©Colin Jones / TopFoto

The Fool inside The Beatles Apple Boutique for which they designed all the clothes and painted inside and the outside mural. Copyright Karl Ferris.

The New Society. Photograph taken for The Observer, December 1967. Copyright Patrick War

Compromising of 3 gallery spaces the Fashion and Textile museum creates an immersive exploration of a dramatic and incredibly loved period of British design with over one hundred fashion ensembles and outfits.

Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture Copyright of the fashion and Textile museum.

Moving through the gallery influences of art Nouveau, Eastern mysticism and psychedelic graphics are a feast for the eyes. Indian inspired florals, jewel toned velvet dresses give you a taste of what it was like on these fabulous, androgynous, individual and flamboyant boutiques.