Ever wondered what Yangonites looked like four or so decades ago?
Myanmar Photo Archive launched two books today that give a glimpse into the fashion of the 1970s.
“Yangon Fashion 1979” and “Irene—A Burmese Icon” were presented at Myanmar Deitta, a non-profit gallery that supports photographers and filmmakers.
The release follows a successful 2017 exhibition shown at Maha Bandula Park that displayed fashion photography shot in Yangon about 40 years ago.
“Yangon Fashion 1979” shows a spark of free expression in a society otherwise suppressed by Ne Win’s military regime. Photo studios in downtown Yangon and around Yangon University served young customers who posed in stylish outfits—some were even made for the occasion.
“Irene—A Burmese Icon” centres on an elegant woman whose real identity is unknown. Myanmar Photo Archive founder Lukas Birk uncovered photos of the woman, who lived in Mandalay in the 1960s and 1970s, and gave her the name Irene.
Khin Thu Thu followed Instagram posts of Irene so avidly that Lukas Birk asked her to write the book's introduction.
“When I discovered the vintage black and white images of this stylish woman from an unknown era, I was fascinated with her fashion, her look and her confidence,” Khin Thu Thu wrote.
“She always wears her hair in a neat up-do. She wears little make-up. She wears oversized sunhats and scarves. Her clothes were well fitted and chic, and she exudes elegance and poise.”
Check out these images from the two books.
