Final answer:
The Rudi Gernreich outfit from 1971 was part of his "Kent State" collection, inspired by the tragic Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970. This event was considered an important moment in U.S. history, impacting various sectors, including the arts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1971 outfit by Rudi Gernreich that you're asking about belonged to his "Kent State" collection. This collection was a response to the Kent State shootings that occurred on May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Ohio, which resulted from escalating anti-Vietnam War protests on campus.
During this period, student activism was at an all-time high, and the Kent State incident marked a pivotal moment in U.S. history. National Guard soldiers fired into a crowd of students during the protest, which resulted in four fatal casualties and nine additional students injured. The events surrounding May 4th not only provoked nationwide student strikes but also heavily influenced the arts, as seen in Gernreich's fashion collection.
Notably, these events led to a polarized public opinion, with some condoning the actions of the National Guard while others, particularly opponents of the Vietnam War, termed the event a "massacre" and emphasized the students' right to free speech and peaceful assembly.