Mary Quant launches her groundbreaking PVC rainwear. Her "Wet Collection" inspires other designers to work with this innovative plastic-coated cotton and draws international attention to London fashion. The avant-garde designer Rudi Gernreich wins the Coty American Fashion Critics Award. The first recipient of the award, traditionalist Norman Norell, is shocked. He returns his Coty Award in protest. Karl Lagerfeld is appointed creative director of Chloé. Geoffrey Beene starts his fashion business. Jean Dessès closes his Haute Couture atelier and declares that he will concentrate on ready-to-wear.