A Brief History On Andr Courrges- The First To Make A Fashion Statement Out Of Youth Culture
Andr Courrges is well-known for being one of the most original fashion designers in Paris.
His designs had widespread acceptance and began a new fashion statement that included mini-dresses and trouser
suits. Many of his signature styles had cut-out midriffs and would, more often than not, be worn without
a bra or undergarment.
The work that really began his fame was characterised by white and silver
designs, sharp lines, flat shoes, and helmets – coining the name of his line “Space Age.”
His goal was to produce affordable, accessible, comfortable, and fashionable clothing while respecting
the culture of the time – designed for athletic, active young women. He is known for liberating women
from the strict, overly-feminine fashion designs that were standard in his time.
He began his career at Balenciaga where he worked for 11 years. During this time, he became an expert
in fashion and textile which allowed him and his wife to, eventually, open their own couture house in
1961. Courrges’s contributions to this industry did not stop at clothes – he also developed iconic
accessories and perfumes which were all part of his vision for the new modern lifestyle he was
promoting.
The Famous Spring Collection
His Spring collection of 1964 showed radically different clothes. These designs included angular mini dresses and trouser suits. The look was created by using heavyweight fabrics like gabardine. Many of the outfits had cut-out midriffs and backs and were worn without a bra. These were matched with flat boots, goggles and helmets taken from the equipment worn by astronauts. The stark shapes and white and silver colour scheme immediately earned the name Space Age. Citation source from – www.vam.ac.uk
Of his many accomplishments and forward thinking designs was the creation of mini-skirts, mini-dresses,
and blouses and dresses that showed women’s midriffs. These creations made boxy shapes, thigh-
grazing lengths, and bold accessories a must-have for the women of the time. He utilised classy colours
such as white, black, and silver and he would accent with his signature clear pink, a bright green, and
various shades of brown and red.
Andr Courrges passed away in early 2016 – leaving an incredible mark on French culture and the
fashion industry as a whole. He lived his life being ahead of the curve, he was a visionary and believed in
progress for people, culture, and fashion in general.
