The Frock & Roll Years
This series recounts the story of the six key looks that have shaped British fashion today. It's told with archive, narrative and interviews from the designers as well as the people who wore the clothes. This is 'Frock History' meets the 'Rock and Roll years'. It's a celebration of people, mood, music and style - all the things that have made London hip.
1 - Swinging
London The impact of designers such as Mary Quant and Barbara Hulaniki (Biba) on 1960s London, and how their revolutionary ideas affected fashions on the High Street today. Interviews with designers and anecdotes from well-known faces, including Trevor Sorbie and ex-model Jilly Johnson, give a real understanding of how it felt to be influenced by these pioneers of 1960s teenage fashion.
Director: James McKinlay
2 - British
Elegance From 1950s glamour through to today's more daring celebrity style: the changes during the '60s and '70s, when high-society designer to the Queen, Hardy Amies, gave way to more accessible figures such as Jean Muir and Anthony Price. Jasper Conran and Amanda Wakeley talk about their beginnings in the fashion world, and we see how this sense of true British elegance can still be achieved from designers today.
Director: Katie Fielder
3 - Romantic
Hippy The incredible story of Laura Ashley's rise to worldwide acclaim, told by her daughter, Jane Ashley. In contrast, wild child Ossie Clarke was designing for those wanting a more seductive look, as we hear from his widow Celia Birtwell. Bringing the romantic hippy up to date, Tanya Sarne's hugely successful label 'Ghost' is featured alongside the colourful, bohemian designs of Matthew Williamson.
Director: Niall Carmichael
4 - Punk
In 1976 attitudes to fashion changed drastically with the beginning of the punk era. Toyah Wilcox talks about her views and her contribution to the punk movement, alongside designers Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes. Katharine Hamnett's strong political views also came across very clearly in her designs. Bringing them up to date, Desiree Meyer from Fake of London discusses the punk influences in her designs today.
Director: Niall Carmichael
5 - Suits
How the suit has changed over the last 50 years, from tailors Gieves and Hawkes, and designers Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. The importance of the quintessentially English suit has now spread worldwide and Savile Row is the place for tailoring of the highest quality. Ozwald Boetang, Richard James and Bella Freud talk about the very subtle alterations that brought the suit into the 21st century.
Director: Katie Fielder
6 - Accessories
The revolution in the accessories market over the last 20 years is told by shoe designers Jimmy Choo, Patrick Cox and Emma Hope, while milliner Stephen Jones discusses his celebrity clients and Philip Treacy stresses the important part a hat can play in one's life. The quirky and very different handbag designs of Lulu Guinness and Anya Hindmarch have transformed the way we think about accessories.
Director: James McKinlay