Mary Quant died at the age of 93 just a few days ago on April 13th. A great icon of 1960s fashion has left us but what will live on is her greatest creation: the mini skirt.
Mary Quant was born in Blackheath, a London suburb in 1930. Her parents, both college professors, dreamed of their daughter going down the same path as them, as a teacher, but Mary’s real dream was art education and illustration. After some struggle, she managed to convince them to enroll her at Goldsmiths College, where she studied what she liked best.
At the age of 16, as a true libertine spirit, the young girl decided to move out on her own and experience London’s “bohemian” life. After a few years, in 1955 she opened her own boutique “Bazaar” on Kings Road in the Chelsea neighbourhood, finally realising her dream. Despite her enthusiasm, the response is not what she expected. Initially, her store is almost mocked by London’s bourgeoisie, who are used to a classic, understated and uncluttered style, but it’s only a matter of time…
Quant is creative and countercultural and begins to fill her windows, almost confusingly, using mostly eye-catching installations such as a lobster, a Harley Davidson, a photographer suspended upside down.
And there’s the success! Her products sell like hotcakes, mini skirts, bright tights and plastic collars, to the point that she opens a second boutique only two years later on Brompton Road, in Knightsbridge. Not only that… She also launches a line of cosmetics and footwear.
It’s all uphill from here on, the designer receivied award after award. Her first accolade was in 1966 when she was made a Knight of the British Crown by Queen Elizabeth II, while the most recent was last year when in 2022 King Charles III awarded her the title of Member of the Knights Order of Companions of Honor.
Saying that Mary Quant was revolutionary is putting it mildly.
