Vogue Men's First Issue: A 1965 Snapshot of British Style
In November 1965, a groundbreaking addition to the fashion world arrived as a supplement to the standard Vogue publication. The first issue of this men's focused edition served as a curated gallery of the era's most influential figures, blending high fashion, literary contributions, and the burgeoning "Swinging London" culture.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: November 1965.
- Distribution: Attached to the November issue of Vogue.
- Cover Feature: A special report on winter clothing featuring actors.
- Notable Contributors: Anthony Powell, Antonia Fraser, and David Bailey.
- Key Theme: A celebration of the "best dressed" British men and cultural icons.
Literary and Cultural Contributions
The debut issue was not merely about clothing; it integrated high art and literature to appeal to the sophisticated modern man. It featured "A reference for Mellors," a short story by Anthony Powell inspired by the themes of Lady Chatterley, and an excerpt from George Melly's biography, Owning Up.
Adding to the intellectual depth, Antonia Fraser contributed a piece titled "But you can get a girl with a gun," while Alan Brien provided grooming advice in a segment titled "Narcissus revisited." For those navigating the city, the issue included a comprehensive Shopping Guide to London curated by Christopher Gibbs.
Defining the 1960s Masculine Ideal
A central question of the issue was "The Englishman: the best dressed man in the world?" To answer this, the magazine highlighted a roster of style icons, including James Astor, Cecil Beaton, Brinsley Black, Gay Kindersley, Nigel Lawson, Jocelyn Stevens (the editor-in-chief of Queen), Sir Fitzroy Maclean, Christopher Gibbs, Lord Gormanston, and Julian Ormsby-Gore.
The visual narrative was further strengthened by the work of renowned photographers. Terence Donovan captured the athletic prowess of Tony Nash and Robin Dixon, the winners of the world bobsleigh championship, in a feature titled "The heroes of St Moritz." Meanwhile, legendary photographer David Bailey explored his fascination with women he described as "different, mysterious and interesting" in "The most Bailey girls in the world," featuring figures such as Catherine Deneuve, Jean Shrimpton, Monica Vitti, Françoise Dorléac, Jeanne Moreau, and Sue Murray.
Automobiles and Aesthetics
The intersection of machinery and masculinity was explored in the "Men and their cars" segment. This feature paired prominent men with their vehicles, showcasing a range of luxury and sport models:
- Jim Clark: Lotus Elan
- Terence Donovan: Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II
- Mark Boxer: Rover 2000
- Kevin Powell: Mini Moke
- Peter Sheridan: 1930 Invicta
- Lord Snowdon: Mini and Aston Martin DB5
The issue's visual peak was its cover feature on winter clothes, which broke tradition by using actors—Corin Redgrave, Edward Fox, and Gilles Milinaire—as the primary models.
The 1965 Fashion Award
In a bold editorial move, the magazine concluded its fashion assessments with a satirical twist. The fashion award for 1965 was not a prize for excellence, but rather a "worst-dressed man award," which was bestowed upon the British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.
| Category | Key Feature/Person | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cover Story | Winter Clothes | Modeled by Corin Redgrave, Edward Fox, and Gilles Milinaire |
| Photography | David Bailey | Featured Catherine Deneuve and Jean Shrimpton |
| Literature | Anthony Powell | Short story "A reference for Mellors" |
| Automobiles | Lord Snowdon | Mini and Aston Martin DB5 |
| Award | Harold Wilson | Worst-dressed man of 1965 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the first issue of this men's supplement released?
It was released in November 1965 as an attachment to the main Vogue magazine.
Who were the models for the cover's winter clothes report?
The models were actors Corin Redgrave, Edward Fox, and Gilles Milinaire.
Which famous photographer contributed a piece on "mysterious" women?
David Bailey wrote and contributed to the article "The most Bailey girls in the world," featuring women like Catherine Deneuve and Jean Shrimpton.
What cars were featured in the "Men and their cars" section?
The section featured a Lotus Elan, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, Rover 2000, Mini Moke, 1930 Invicta, Mini, and Aston Martin DB5.
Who received the worst-dressed man award for 1965?
The award was given to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Harold Wilson.