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Mary Quant

British, 1934-2023

Mary Quant revolutionized the world of women's fashion during the Swinging Sixties. The British designer substantially modernized hemlines, popularizing the miniskirt and essentially introducing hot pants. Quant’s extensive repertoire included a range of garments, some famously modeled by Twiggy. Her liberating and refreshing designs for skirts, blouses, sweaters, knitted jersey dresses and chic stretchy tights challenged the conventions of the day and greatly influenced fashion trends that followed.

Quant was born in London in 1934. She wanted to pursue fashion from a young age, but her parents — both teachers — were unsupportive. She instead studied art and illustration at Goldsmiths College. Quant graduated in 1953, but her interest in fashion persisted, so she headed straight into an apprenticeship at a high-end millinery shop and never looked back.

In the late 1950s, Quant began making her own designs. When her then-boyfriend Alexander Plunket Greene bought a building in Chelsea, London, part of the project was eventually relegated to a boutique named Bazaar. Quant took a few classes at night on tailoring and created clothing that was to be sold out of the space, and her work quickly caught the attention of publications like Harper's Bazaar. Her shirts, modern tunic dresses, and other apparel captured the vitality of the postwar cultural shift occurring at the time. She also cultivated a lively environment in her shop, playing music, serving drinks and staying open for long hours. 

While hemlines had been gradually climbing above the knee before her contributions to the explosion in popularity of the miniskirt took shape — see the late 1950s-era pieces that Yves Saint Laurent designed for Dior or the Space Age dresses of Parisian couturier André Courrèges — Quant played no small role in challenging the conventions of traditional womenswear in the 1960s. She viewed the miniskirt as liberating. In the late 1960s, she also introduced short shorts that anticipated the later popularity of hot pants.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Quant focused more on makeup and household goods. In 1988, she designed the interior of the Mini 1000 car, which was originally called the Mini Quant.

Quant earned a great deal of recognition for her contributions to the fashion industry. In as early as 1963, she was the winner of the first Fashion Museum Dress of the Year award. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1966 and promoted to Dame Commander in 2015. Quant was also awarded the Minerva Medal — the highest honor of the Chartered Society of Designers, of which she was a member.

When the Victoria and Albert Museum held a retrospective devoted to Quant's famous designs from the 1960s and 1970s, Quant was heavily involved in the production of the show.

Find a collection of vintage Mary Quant clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.

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Designer: Mary Quant
1965 Mary Quant Documented Black Playsuit with Crochet Bodice
By Mary Quant
Located in London, GB
This rare documented playsuit was designed by icon of 'swinging sixties' fashion, Mary Quant. After founding her 'Bizarre' boutique on the King...
Category

1960s British Mary Quant

Vintage Mary Quant Swimsuit
By Mary Quant
Located in London, GB
A fun vintage swimsuit by the British designer Mary Quant. The suit is in a black and white print with red trim and flower detail. UK si...
Category

1980s British Mary Quant

MARY QUANT Rhinestone Abstract Silk Tie Top Size Small
By Mary Quant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mary Quant top is composed of an abstract printed silk and features a rhinestone neck tie with a halter style. There are some rhinestones missing from the halter chain. *...
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20th Century Unknown Mary Quant

Vintage Mary Quant Black and White Knitted Top
By Mary Quant
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage top by Mary Quant. The top has a round neckline and cap sleeves, and is stripes on one half and block colour on the other, front and back.
Category

1960s British Mary Quant

1980S MARY QUANT Multicolor PVC Colorblock Rain Poncho
By Mary Quant
Located in New York, NY
1980S MARY QUANT Multicolor PVC Colorblock Rain Poncho
Category

1980s Mary Quant

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Mary Quant fashion for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Mary Quant fashion available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of blue, pink and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Norman Hartnell, Mary Farrin, and Marcel Fenez appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Mary Quant fashion from top boutiques around the world. Mary Quant fashion prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $1,150, while the average work can sell for $439.
Questions About Mary Quant
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Mary Quant designed many ground-breaking articles of clothing. Some of her most well-known designs include the Jersey dress, miniskirts, opaque tights, skinny ribbed sweaters, PVC raincoats and accessories and hot pants. Find a range of Mary Quant apparel on 1stDibs.

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