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Youthquake was the creation of Puritan Dress Company president Karl Rosen and Paul Young, an employee at JC Penney who had been working to update its image for the young market. Rosen and Young brought together much of the bright new talent in Europe, such as Mary Quant and Emmanuelle Khahn, and added a group of creative young Americans to the mix. Included were Betsey Johnson, Deanna Littell, and Joel Schumacher.

To sell these new clothes they opened Paraphernalia, a boutique along the lines of what was happening in London. The plan worked and by 1968 there were 44 Paraphernalia franchises in the US. By that time most of the bright, young talent had moved on. The last Paraphernalia store closed in about 1976.

Written by fuzzylizzie


from a 1960s mini dress - Courtesy of heavensent-hellbent

from a 1960s mini dress

Courtesy of heavensent-hellbent

from a 1965/1966 mini dress - Courtesy of  ikonicvintage

from a 1965/1966 mini dress

Courtesy of ikonicvintage