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Harris was inspired by the elegance of the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, but she realised that, back then, “there was a marked difference between film fashions and street fashions that doesn’t exist today”. ‘I had no idea that it would become such an iconic portrayal of the time,’ said Julie Harris, who won an Academy Award for the costume design of the film. I think they fell in love with the whole swinging London image.” It was America that went mad for it, they loved it. It didn’t get any nominations for any awards at all, because to the home audience it was just everyday life. When the film opened in Britain, nobody took much notice. “I had no idea that it would become such an iconic portrayal of the time. “It was just another contemporary film,” Harris recalled. Later in the film, when Christie, in the role of the beautiful, bored, young model, marries an Italian prince, she changes to expensive, elegant gowns.

In the latter, Julie Christie’s Chelsea outfits – mini-skirts, headscarves, caps and knee socks – stood out. This was most evident in two Beatles features, A Hard Day’s Night (1964) and Help! (1965), both directed by Richard Lester, and John Schlesinger’s Darling (1965) for which Harris won an Academy Award.

Despite having designed costumes for British films since 1947, Julie Harris, who has died aged 94, came into her own in the swinging 60s, reflecting the fashion revolution of the decade.

British holywood actress spoof casino royale