'The Black Tie Boom' cover of the Observer colour supplement was published on the 8th of December 1968.
The article by John Fairly reported on the increase in men's evening suit hire with styling by Liz Smith.
The cover description: Up-to-date Barathea dinner jacket is double-breasted, cut like a blazer with silk revers and purple lining, £39 15s.; shirt, 79s. 6d.; bow, 19s. 6d.; all from Moss Bros. One Up department, Covent Garden, WC2. Evening dress by Frank Usher, £34 2s. 6d., from D. H. Evans, Oxford Street, W1; Cresta, New Bond St.; Elizabeth, Sheffield; Nola, Chester; Rhinestone bracelet, 11gn., three eternity rings, 2gn., bugle rhinestone ring, 47s. 6d.; all by Adrien Mann from Harrods, Knights-bridge, SW1; Rackhams, Birmingham. Hair by Ivana at Vidal Sassoon.


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