Overview

After 1950s austerity and the return of formality with Dior’s New Look, Britain’s distinctive contribution was youth and subculture — fashion driven from the street up.

Key garments and style

The 1960s brought Mary Quant, the miniskirt and Carnaby Street mod style; the 1970s, Vivienne Westwood and punk. London stayed a design capital — Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Paul Smith — and Savile Row the home of bespoke tailoring, while subcultures such as mod, skinhead, punk and New Romantic kept exporting British street style.

Transition

Today British fashion spans global luxury houses, London Fashion Week and a continuing street-level influence.