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Pacifica Radio Archives’ “From the Vault”
Each week the Pacifica Radio Archives chooses a program "From the Vault" of broadcasts in a half-hour program.
In this episode of From the Vault, we’ll hear a fascinating 1971 interview with controversial twentieth century fashion designer Rudi Gernreich, with a contemporary introduction by WBAI’s Andrea Katz. Although Gernreich became internationally famous for his 1964 “Monokini,” or topless swim suit for women, his most striking presentation was the show for his spring collection for Harmon knitwear in 1971. In this collection, Gernreich accessorized his clothing designs with Mao caps, desert boots, dog tags and rifles; the show was an effort to publicly expose the intersection of art, fashion, and the resistance of embattled women. Interviewed in January 1971 by KPFK’s Clare Loeb, Rudi Gernreich explains his controversial fashion show and discusses his career and life.
