Mary Quant (born 11 February 1934 in Blackheath, London) is a British fashion designer. In 1963, she won the Sunday Times International Fashion Award and was chosen as Woman of the Year. Quant played an essential role in the youth fashion and London-based Mod movements in the 1960s.
MARY QUANT
In November 1955, she opened a clothes shop on Kings Road in Chelsea called Bazaar. Bazaar's best sellers were small white plastic collars to brighten up black dresses or t-shirts. Black stretch stockings were also popular.
The miniskirt, which she is most famous for, became one of the defining items of the 1960s. (The miniskirt was also developed separately by André Courrèges and John Bates, and there is still disagreement as to who came up with the idea first.)
Mary Quant named the miniskirt after her favourite car, the Mini.
Mary Quant named the miniskirt after her favourite car, the Mini.
Quant's first underwear collection was designed to be worn with the miniskirt look.
Tights worn over briefs or bikini pants were an essential accessory to the miniskirt because the older method of stockings plus suspenders was no longer suitable, and legs needed to be covered for most of the year in Britain.
Tights worn over briefs or bikini pants were an essential accessory to the miniskirt because the older method of stockings plus suspenders was no longer suitable, and legs needed to be covered for most of the year in Britain.
In the late 1960s, Quant popularised hot pants. According to Quant, her provocative hot pants "sold faster than (they) could make them." The idea was to promote female independence through radically new and easy-to-wear clothes. The style spread like wildfire among the youth and became a movement in the wake of the '70s.
COAT-DRESS
Wool dress coats were ideal for formal outdoor events in cool British weather or in cold homes when central heating was a rare luxury. Venice Pollock wore this oversized plaid tweed coat to the launching ceremony of her husband's refurbished ship, according to society magazine Tatler. She was married to Philip Pollock, a businessman who helped Terence Conran finance his Habitat store.
Wool dress coats were ideal for formal outdoor events in cool British weather or in cold homes when central heating was a rare luxury. Venice Pollock wore this oversized plaid tweed coat to the launching ceremony of her husband's refurbished ship, according to society magazine Tatler. She was married to Philip Pollock, a businessman who helped Terence Conran finance his Habitat store.
A-line DRESS
Circa 1966 this jersey dress shows the stark simplicity of Quant's free-spirit designs, combining the comfort of stretch fabric with bright colours and minimal but contrasting trim. The shorter length and width of the hem allowed free movement and suited flat shoes, in complete contrast to the high-heeled straight skirt in the previous fashion.
Circa 1966 this jersey dress shows the stark simplicity of Quant's free-spirit designs, combining the comfort of stretch fabric with bright colours and minimal but contrasting trim. The shorter length and width of the hem allowed free movement and suited flat shoes, in complete contrast to the high-heeled straight skirt in the previous fashion.
WATERPROOF FASHION
For PVC garments like this raincoat to be durable and waterproof, the seams must be tightly closed. Quant's early experiments with PVC stitching on a standard sewing machine resulted in the material sticking, melting or tearing due to the perforated seam. She quickly recognized the need for specialized equipment and advice from an experienced mac manufacturer to successfully produce PVC garments.
For PVC garments like this raincoat to be durable and waterproof, the seams must be tightly closed. Quant's early experiments with PVC stitching on a standard sewing machine resulted in the material sticking, melting or tearing due to the perforated seam. She quickly recognized the need for specialized equipment and advice from an experienced mac manufacturer to successfully produce PVC garments.
WILLIAM MORRIS PRINT SUIT
Quant's interest in historic textile prints continued throughout the 1960s and 70s, as evidenced by her use of William Morris "Marigold" trim for this jacket and skirt. Her choice of material reflects a wider resurgence of 19th-century William Morris prints that were fashionable at the time.
Quant's interest in historic textile prints continued throughout the 1960s and 70s, as evidenced by her use of William Morris "Marigold" trim for this jacket and skirt. Her choice of material reflects a wider resurgence of 19th-century William Morris prints that were fashionable at the time.
