Britt Ekland, Sheer Style, and the Fashion Freedom of 1970
When readers picked up the May 1, 1970 issue of Vogue magazine, they were stepping into a new decade where fashion was playful, experimental, and often sheer in the most literal sense. Among the features that captured this spirit was a photo spread starring Swedish actress Britt Ekland, styled in organza, chiffon, and voile prints that seemed to float across the page.
This wasn’t just fashion—it was a reflection of cultural change. In 1970, the world was in flux: the counterculture movement of the late 1960s was reshaping mainstream values, women were challenging old gender norms, and designers were pushing fabrics and forms that broke from the rigid tailoring of earlier decades. Vogue, always at the center of cultural style commentary, showcased Britt Ekland not just as an actress, but as a living embodiment of fashion freedom.
The year 1970 marked a turning point in Western fashion. The psychedelic patterns of the late 1960s were giving way to more romantic and bohemian looks. Sheer fabrics—once considered scandalous—became acceptable daytime wear, symbolizing liberation and individuality. Dresses floated with ruffles, voile djellabas mimicked global travel and exoticism, and layered jewelry completed looks that emphasized play over propriety.
Britt Ekland was the perfect figure for this moment. Known for her film career and glamorous persona, she also represented the rising influence of celebrities in shaping fashion trends. This spread tied into a broader cultural conversation: fashion as self-expression and identity, especially for women navigating new freedoms.
Globally, 1970 was a year of transition. The Vietnam War and student protests still filled headlines, but so did the women’s liberation movement. Second-wave feminism brought conversations about autonomy, both political and personal, and fashion responded in kind. Ekland’s see-through chiffons and breezy florals were not only about style—they reflected a willingness to embrace boldness, sensuality, and individuality in public life.
The Cover and Editorial Voice
The May 1, 1970 issue of Vogue continued the magazine’s tradition of balancing editorial glamour with cultural commentary. Under the editorship of Diana Vreeland, Vogue was a platform for more than clothing—it was about a lifestyle, a vision of modernity, and a mirror to cultural aspiration.
Ekland’s editorial “Breezing Through the Prints” and “Breezing Through the See-Throughs” epitomized this. The captions highlighted not only the fabrics and designers but also the spirit of movement and joy. She wasn’t posed stiffly; she was twirling, smiling, striding forward. The photography caught her mid-motion, garments flying around her in a way that suggested energy, youth, and freedom.
The Fashion Photography
Shot in soft yet high-contrast tones, the photos made sheer fabrics like organza, voile, and chiffon look alive. Poses were dynamic: swirling skirts mid-air, arms extended, hair loose and glamorous. The editorial avoided rigid couture framing, instead presenting Britt Ekland as both approachable and aspirational.
This was a departure from earlier decades when fashion was often photographed as still-life elegance. Here, fashion was movement, life, and personality—a direction that would define much of Vogue’s 1970s output.
Designers and Details
The captions listed designers and stores central to the fashion world of the time:
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Jon Haggins and Onondaga fabric
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Nan Duskin and Henri Bendel
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Bonwit Teller, Bullock’s Wilshire, and Lord & Taylor
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Stix, Baer & Fuller, Sakowitz, and I. Magnin
Prices ranged from $25 cotton-polyester dresses to $80 chiffon gowns, showing Vogue’s ability to blend accessible ready-to-wear with high fashion names. This democratization of style was key: Vogue was no longer just a guide for elite society women but was increasingly reaching a broader audience eager to adopt high-fashion looks in everyday life.
From the words and images of this Vogue spread, ten themes emerge that capture why it remains so memorable:
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Sheer Revolution – Organza, chiffon, and voile dominated the styling, underscoring the 1970 obsession with transparency and lightness.
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Movement as Fashion – Poses captured Ekland mid-twirl, emphasizing joy, youth, and freedom.
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Floral Explosion – Prints in purple, yellow, pink, and green reflected spring optimism.
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Cultural Crosscurrents – References to flamenco skirts, djellabas, and tassel belts showcased fashion’s global inspirations.
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Celebrity Influence – Ekland’s dual role as actress and style muse foreshadowed the growing link between Hollywood and fashion.
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Accessible Glamour – Price points under $100 for many pieces made high style within reach for Vogue’s aspirational readers.
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Accessories as Statement – Chokers, beads, and tassel belts transformed simple dresses into complete looks.
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Retail Powerhouses – Department stores like Lord & Taylor, Bullock’s Wilshire, and Henri Bendel were positioned as arbiters of taste.
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Color and Mood – From sunny yellows to lilac sheers, the editorial reflected fashion’s turn toward playful optimism.
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Fashion as Lifestyle – Ekland wasn’t just wearing clothes; she was embodying a new way of being: confident, visible, and free.
For collectors of vintage Vogue magazines, the May 1970 issue holds special significance.
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Britt Ekland’s Icon Status – As both an actress and fashion muse, Ekland’s appearance ties this issue to broader cultural memory.
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Diana Vreeland’s Vision – This editorial reflects Vreeland’s transformative influence on Vogue, pushing it toward greater experimentation.
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Fashion Milestone – The emphasis on sheer, flowing fabrics and bold prints captured a turning point in 1970s style.
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Retail and Designer Record – Captions documenting department stores and designers serve as historical artifacts of fashion commerce in the U.S.
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Cultural Relevance – The editorial isn’t just about clothing—it embodies the feminist, youthful, and global spirit of its era.
Original issues from 1970 are now seen as artifacts of cultural history. Collectors, fashion historians, and vintage enthusiasts seek them not just for the photography but as documents of shifting gender roles, consumer culture, and artistic vision.
Britt Ekland’s Vogue spread remains relevant because it represents a moment of joy and transition. Fashion was no longer about dressing for rules—it was about dressing for self-expression. The see-through organza dresses, bold florals, and playful poses captured a new philosophy: beauty was about energy and freedom, not just perfection.
For modern readers revisiting vintage Vogue magazines, this feature is a window into 1970’s optimism, experimentation, and cultural liberation.
If you’re fascinated by this editorial or looking to own a piece of fashion history, original Vogue magazines from 1970 are highly collectible. They offer more than style—they offer insight into how culture, celebrity, and commerce intertwined at a critical moment in fashion history.
👉 Browse the full collection of original Vogue magazines here:
Original Vogue Magazines Collection
From Britt Ekland’s playful organza prints to Diana Vreeland’s daring editorial vision, these pages preserve a cultural moment that continues to inspire designers, historians, and collectors alike.
The May 1, 1970 Vogue issue, featuring Britt Ekland breezing through prints and see-throughs, remains one of the era’s most vibrant showcases of shifting fashion ideals. It captured the optimism of a new decade, the liberation of women’s style, and the rise of celebrity as fashion muse.
Holding a copy today is like holding the essence of 1970 itself: light, sheer, joyful, and unapologetically free.