Mary Quant is the playful clothing designer who launched a fashion revolution; from miniskirts and hot pants to vibrant tights and makeup, you can now discover how Mary Quant launched a fashion revolution on the British high street, with over 200 garments and accessories, including unseen pieces from the designer's personal archive at the Mary Quant Clothing Exhibition on Kings Road.
The exhibition explores the years between 1955 and 1975, which is when Quant revolutionised the high street. She managed to harness the youthful spirit of the 1960s, as well as new mass production techniques to create a new look for women.
More About Mary Quant and Her Fashion Revolution
Quant managed to personify the energy and fun of swinging London in her style, and she became the role model for working women because of this. She made the miniskirt popular, along with colourful tights and tailored trousers. She encouraged a new age of feminism and fashion that is still apparent today.
"The whole point of fashion is to make fashionable clothes available to everyone." Mary Quant
Mary Quant could be described as inventive, opinionated, and commercially minded - she was without question the most iconic fashion designer of the 1960s. With tickets to her exhibition, you’ll be able to see first hand her unique designs and learn more about how she revolutionised the industry.
The most incredible thing about Quant is that she was a self taught designer who attended evening classes on cutting and adjusting the mass-market printed patterns to create looks that she was after. Her aesthetic developed and grew, often inspired by dancers, musicians, and Beatnik street chic, and the mods.
The very first collections from Quant were modern, simple, and very wearable. She wanted to create relaxed clothes suited to the actions of normal life, and she succeeded. Pairing short tunic dresses with tights in bright, stand-out colours – scarlet, ginger, prune and grape – she managed to create a bold, high-fashion version of the practical outfits she'd worn as a child at school and at dance classes.
Quant’s famous miniskirt and designs were soon popularised by the era's most high-profile model, Twiggy. In 1966, Quant further made waves by inventing hot pants. She was also the first designer to use PVC, creating 'wet look' clothes, and different styles of weatherproof boots in her footwear range.
Tatler describes the Mary Quant Clothing Exhibition as ‘a riot of rebellion, vigour and youthful energetic fashion…’
The show will explore some of Quant’s most memorable moments, from collecting her OBE to the evolution of her rising hemlines. It will also look at her collaborations with manufacturers, diversifying into underwear, hosiery and cosmetics.
Show Dates
● On now until Sunday, 16 February 2020
● Gallery 40
Join today for unlimited free entry to all V&A exhibitions, members only exhibitions, and more.
If you’re interested in Fashion history, vintage clothing, Mary Quant, or all three, visit the exhibition on Kings Road and you’re bound to leave feeling inspired having learned something new!
Mary Quant is the playful clothing designer who launched a fashion revolution; from miniskirts and hot pants to vibrant tights and makeup, you can now discover how Mary Quant launched a fashion revolution on the British high street, with over 200 garments and accessories, including unseen pieces from the designer's personal archive at the Mary Quant Clothing Exhibition on Kings Road.
The exhibition explores the years between 1955 and 1975, which is when Quant revolutionised the high street. She managed to harness the youthful spirit of the 1960s, as well as new mass production techniques to create a new look for women.
More About Mary Quant and Her Fashion Revolution
Quant managed to personify the energy and fun of swinging London in her style, and she became the role model for working women because of this. She made the miniskirt popular, along with colourful tights and tailored trousers. She encouraged a new age of feminism and fashion that is still apparent today.
"The whole point of fashion is to make fashionable clothes available to everyone." Mary Quant
Mary Quant could be described as inventive, opinionated, and commercially minded - she was without question the most iconic fashion designer of the 1960s. With tickets to her exhibition, you’ll be able to see first hand her unique designs and learn more about how she revolutionised the industry.
The most incredible thing about Quant is that she was a self taught designer who attended evening classes on cutting and adjusting the mass-market printed patterns to create looks that she was after. Her aesthetic developed and grew, often inspired by dancers, musicians, and Beatnik street chic, and the mods.
The very first collections from Quant were modern, simple, and very wearable. She wanted to create relaxed clothes suited to the actions of normal life, and she succeeded. Pairing short tunic dresses with tights in bright, stand-out colours – scarlet, ginger, prune and grape – she managed to create a bold, high-fashion version of the practical outfits she'd worn as a child at school and at dance classes.
Quant’s famous miniskirt and designs were soon popularised by the era's most high-profile model, Twiggy. In 1966, Quant further made waves by inventing hot pants. She was also the first designer to use PVC, creating 'wet look' clothes, and different styles of weatherproof boots in her footwear range.
Tatler describes the Mary Quant Clothing Exhibition as ‘a riot of rebellion, vigour and youthful energetic fashion…’
The show will explore some of Quant’s most memorable moments, from collecting her OBE to the evolution of her rising hemlines. It will also look at her collaborations with manufacturers, diversifying into underwear, hosiery and cosmetics.
Show Dates
● On now until Sunday, 16 February 2020
● Gallery 40
Join today for unlimited free entry to all V&A exhibitions, members only exhibitions, and more.
If you’re interested in Fashion history, vintage clothing, Mary Quant, or all three, visit the exhibition on Kings Road and you’re bound to leave feeling inspired having learned something new!
