The 1960s ushered in a new generation of young, energetic, female designers, perfectly in tune with the fashion needs of their peers. Betsey Johnson began her career as the in-house designer for New York’s Paraphernalia, a prime example of a youth oriented boutique that quickly became a driving retail force. As fashionable young socialites, Isabel Eberstadt and Jane Holzer cultivated a hip “downtown” sensibility while also embracing emerging couturiers, such as André Courrèges.

Isabel Eberstadt and Jane Holzer epitomized the “society fashion celebrity” of the 1960s. Both modeled for major fashion magazines, and they appeared in Andy Warhol’s 1964 film, The Thirteen Most Beautiful Women. Eberstadt, the daughter of poet Ogden Nash, was also a writer and a patron of the arts. She was one of the first to pick up on new fashion trends, and her daring choices were lauded on “Best Dressed” lists. Jane Holzer broke social norms by mingling with the well-to-do and pop stars alike. Tom Wolfe commemorated Holzer’s youthful vitality by naming her “Girl of the Year” in 1964, and she continued acting for Warhol throughout the decade.