1970s Style, Trends Revisited: Disco, Punk Rock, David Bowie
“After the rebellion and liberation, there’s this party,” says singer-songwriter Jon Batiste, referring to the disco music and style of the 1970s. In the second episode of our six-episode documentary series connecting music and fashion, we look at how glamour, gender-bending and gay sexual liberation all blended to shape the decade.
But Before you talk about disco and punk, you have to talk about glam, according to Rolling Stone contributing editor Joe Levy. “Almost all of that goes back to David Bowie. Although he’s building on – musically and in terms of fashion – what the Rolling Stones opened up. And that’s where that androgyny comes about.”
Giorgio Moroder, who had his first hit with Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You Baby” during that time, also remembers his first time attending Studio 54 and the disco era, including the big mustache he sported.
“Disco is a dance expression of a hippie imperative. They had that communal spirit; they had that love and peace philosophy. They just wanted it to be danceable,” explains Levy. “The punk idea is: It’s time to rip it up and start again.” And you could see it in the torn T-shirts and jeans as well.
See other episodes in the series below.
Watch 1960s Style, Trends Revisited: British Invasion, Hippies, Woodstock
Watch 1980s Style, Trends Revisited: Prince, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Early Hip-Hop
Watch 1990s Style, Trends Revisited: Grunge, Hip Hop Golden Era
Watch 2000s Style, Trends Revisited: Teen Pop, YouTube Stars, American Idol
Watch 2010s Style, Trends Revisited: Social Media Explodes, Stars Brand Themselves 360