Twiggy in the streets of London, 1966, photographed by Meagher/Getty Images

We take a closer look at the Carnaby Street inspiration behind Tory’s Pre-Fall 2015 collection.

Carnaby Street is more than just a thoroughfare in Central London; it epitomizes a culture and a very real slice of history. A nerve center for the Swinging Sixties, it fueled the city’s youth infusion. This was where the cool kids congregated. And, in many ways, it was ground zero for the next wave of fashion, home to scores of pioneering boutiques for the emerging Mod, hippie and bohemian scenes, like Lady Jane, Carnaby Girl and His Clothes. Hemlines went up, girls borrowed from the boys and boys, from the girls. Doe-eyed Twiggy, with her pixie do and androgynous figure, embodied the new vibe. As did The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Françoise Hardy and The Who, who all shopped the street. Today, mention Carnaby and it recalls that youth-driven cultural shift, when rules were tossed out, and fashion was fantastically spirited and fun. Instead of style trickling from the runway of couturiers and down, the phenomenon of Carnaby heralded a moment when style cues started with the streets — and things have never been quite the same since.

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