In the 70's Los Angeles was ruled by rock n roll. The boys came and went on
tour but the girls were the ones worth watching.
Pamela Des Barres and her group of friends were collectively known as the
GTO's [Girls Together Outrageously]. They started out as the Laurel Canyon
Dance Company and were a fixture at Frank Zappa and Flying Burrito Brothers gigs.
They were influenced heavily by Aubrey Beardsley and the hippie fashions of the
era and were often crowned with velvet flowers.
The groupies looked like gypsies in their long floor grazing 1930’s nightgowns,
sheer mexican peasant tops and the occasional mini dress. They accessorized themselves
with huge hats and feathers, dripping with bracelets, necklaces, belts, furs and
scarves. Minimalism was avoided. This was luxe and over the top.
The girls were not only responsible for their own look but they also had a
hand in styling and shaping how Rod Stewart, Gram Parsons and Alice Cooper looked
at their height of their fame.
It is hard to look back on photos of these girls now and not see how they
have influenced the style of a whole new generation of girls in music like Lana
Del Rey, Bat for Lashes and Florence Welch.
Shop the look with South Second Vintage!
