Hippies were a super cool, style iconic subculture, originating its developments as a youth movement in the United States in the early 1960s.
'Who are the hippies??' you ask, well you're about to find out!
Their lifestyle was all about being different and standing out from the 'norms' of society after already feeling alienated. They were what demographers called the baby-boom generation. Hippies developed their own distinctive lifestyle, where they constructed a sense of marginality. These subcultures origins may be directly influenced and inspired by the beat generation and American involvement in the Vietnam War. From around 1967, its fundamental ethos, including harmony with nature, communal living, artistic experimentation particularly in music, sexual experimentation, and the widespread use of recreational drugs spread around the world during the counterculture of the 60s which has become closely associated with the subculture.
Hippies Dress Code:
Hippies never hesitated when wearing a pop of colour or a distinctive pattern. Men in the 60s wore baggy t-shirts, leather jackets, granny glasses and loved long locks of hair and beards to show equality within the subculture. Women had unusual styles comprised of bell bottom trousers, tie-dye garments, pattered and pleated skirts. as fun as this all sounds the hippie-styled clothes were not accepted by the conservatives who looked down upon this culture.
HOTTEST celeb Hippies- Grace Slick:
Click the video above to watch Samamtha Rigby give you the perfect Hippie style inspo that you can try yourself!
The 1960s in the US was all about peace, being free, love and a mountain of drugs and music was something evolving bigger than religion. Communal living and acoustic guitar playing on the streets was cool. Known as one of the first female rock stars, former model and "Acid Queen" Grace Slick was an influential figure in the psychedelic rock movement. She had always done what she wanted and followed her muse. Grace’s exploits as a rock and roller are well documented. Grace devoutly followed the “Free Love” ethos of her generation. Grace Slick knew that music was just one aspect of her life, and that she was always a talented painter. In the 1990s, Slick retired from touring to turn her focus to painting full time. Alice in Wonderland was a favourite subject of her art; she identified with Alice’s need to follow her curiosity.
“Through literacy you can begin to see the universe. Through music you can reach anybody. Between the two there is you, unstoppable.” – Grace Slick
Not only was Grace part of the iconic groups Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, but she also pushed the envelope even farther with her solo career. She was one of the most iconic woman pioneers in the most transcendent times in U.S. history.
Grace Slick - Born 1939
Music festivals were common gatherings for hippies as an excuse for the 'celebration of life'. They developed a strong interest in freedom and equality which lead to other social movements such as, civil rights, feminism, environmentalism, anti-war protests and psychedelic drug experimentation. Music played a key role in these movements, in particular, The Beatles songs helped shape the Hippie subculture.
Grace Slick - Acrylic on Canvas pieces
History of the 60s:
The 60s and 70s has always been iconic and influential time, the introduction of the contraceptive pill came around in this time after clinical trials in London, Birmingham and Slough. In this time, the Uk minister Enoch Powell announced that women who wished to use the oral contraceptive pill could access this through the NHS. This added to the incredible freedom for women that the Hippie culture protested. Another famous moment within the 60s was The Vietnam War in 1965 where President Johnson sent troops to Vietnam to help keep the communist North Vietnamese from invading South Vietnam. This very unpopular war will last until 1975. The anti-war movement mobilised Americans in vast numbers, and public protest demonstrations against the war became commonplace. In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." - Neil Armstrong
Popular music styles amongst Hippies in the 60s:
1. Psychedelic Rock - combined elements of Jazz and Rock n Roll. This music was largely inspired by 'mind expanding' drugs which was already intertwined with Hippie culture. The drug used was reflected through the electronic tones, feedback and even intensely high volume. Bands such as 'The Ungrateful Dead' would play psychedelic rock.
2. Acid Rock - another form of psychedelic was originated in San Fransisco in 1965. One of the best-known examples of acid rock was Pink Floyd.
3. Jazz Fusion - a new type of music in the 60s which fused together jazz with and Rock n Roll. the term jazz fusion was created by Miles Davis in 1966 and he released his first album under this title in 1969.
Although the 1960s was a time of turmoil and unrest, it ended with a bit of hope as a new frontier, outer space, was conquered.
The FUTURE of Hippies:
Hippies have opened doors that had been closed for many years, they revolutionised our society today by introducing new concepts and anew mentality that is acceptance of unmarried couples, homosexual or heterosexual to live and travel together without any disapproval, a greater religious and cultural diversity and the understanding of peace and individuality. As for fashion, Hippies influenced it drastically and we now see their original styles promoted as 'bohemian' which can include headpieces, cowboy hats, larger shoulder bags, free fitted clothing, tie-dye and patterned clothing etc.
In short, Hippies are the definition of FUN!
Add comment
Comments