Years
The Flower Power Era
Long hair, beards, flowers in the hair, sandals, long loose-fitting tunics and peace demonstrations. It is the end of the 1960s and fashion has suddenly discovered colour and freedom of style. The “Swinging Sixties” are a celebration of freedom after centuries of restrictions.
The young baby-boomer generation wants to set itself apart from the adult world. They set about creating a true counter-culture and choose clothing as a way to express themselves and their convictions. Original and revolutionary apparel is making its appearance, with flared pants, vivid colours, psychedelic prints, frilled shirts and men’s jewellery.
Jeans and other cotton clothing, embroidered Afghan sheepskin jackets, leather accessories and Indian scarves are adding ethnic interest to the wardrobe. Batik T-shirts are becoming all the rage.
Men are decking themselves out in flamboyant Italian suits, floral shirts, hippy furs and loose-fitting caftans. Others are wearing ultra-short raincoats and “pork-pie” hats. Men’s jackets are being replaced by high-collar tunics, with which ties can no longer be worn. Young girls are starting to wear trousers.
Miniskirts and mini dresses, symbols of this liberation, are the invention that will really leave their mark on the decade. Plain, sober and futuristic, they are worn with pantyhose and boots or with knee-length socks and strapped shoes.
1968
Chaussures DeLuca opens for business. Its sole proprietor, Mr. DeLuca, a shoemaker of Italian origin, specializes in crafting moccasins and San Crispino shoes (a style imported directly from Italy). He produces a limited number of very classic models in his humble workshop. Mr. DeLuca is the only person in Québec making San Crispino-style shoes, which are already very fashionable in Europe and now gaining in popularity over here. The company is located on 18th Avenue (Jarry).