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Mary Quant
"The whole point of fashion is to make fashionable clothes available to everyone." Mary Quant
a riot of rebellion, vigour and youthful energetic fashion...
Tatler
From miniskirts and hot pants to vibrant tights and makeup, 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.
Exhibition Trailer
The King's Road is one of the world's most famous shopping and lifestyle destinations. It has always been at the forefront of fashion trends – from Mods to Punks, Sloanes and New Romantics – and at the epicentre of London's art, fashion and music scenes. And, of course, a key location and playground for Mary Quant and her brilliant boutique: Bazaar. The King's Road is proud to sponsor this exhibition and celebrate the Road's rich heritage, as well as looking to its future as a home for the next generation of creative, era-defining pioneers.
Exhibition Highlights
Fashion designer Mary Quant at her apartment in Draycott Place, Chelsea, London, about 1965. Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images
Three patterned ensembles, Mary Quant, 1964 – 1971, London. Museum no. T.22-2013,T.498-1993 & PROV.6-2018. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Design for a cowl neck minidress with mustard yellow tights by Mary Quant, about 1967, London. Museum no. E.525-1975. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Three models wearing underwear designed by Mary Quant, about 1966. Photo by Otfried Schmidt/ullstein bild/Getty Images
Yellow ankle boots in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) lined with cotton jersey, Mary Quant, 1967, London. Museum no. T.591: 1&2-1992. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Mary Quant and models at the launch of the quantafoot collection, 1967. © PA Prints 2008
Twiggy wearing a turquoise moire taffeta waistcoat and skirt, 1966. Photograph © Terence Donovan, courtesy Terence Donovan Archive / Iconic Images
Kellie Wilson and model wearing minidress and matching shorts by Mary Quant, 1966, Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive
The Mary Quant Beauty bus, 1971 © INTERFOTO / Alamy Stock Photo
Minidress with 'Peter Pan' collar, Mary Quant's Ginger Group, 1966, England. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Given by Professor Deborah Cherry
Mary Quant selecting fabric, 1967. © Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images
Events
Features
Inside the Mary Quant exhibition
Take a look inside the Mary Quant exhibition
Fashion unpicked: The 'Wet Collection' by Mary Quant
Curator Stephanie Wood explores Mary Quant's love affair with that "super shiny man-made stuff", PVC
Six revolutionary designs by Mary Quant
Where would we be without coloured tights, skinny-rib sweaters and comfy loungewear? We owe them all to Mary Quant
Sew your own: Mary Quant-style minidress
Want to make your own 1960s-style minidress inspired by Mary Quant?
The miniskirt myth
The true story behind the look that defined a decade
The story of Mary Quant make-up
Find out why Quant's make-up range was as revolutionary as her clothing
Introducing Mary Quant
The most iconic fashion designer of the 1960s, Mary Quant's witty, irreverent clothing was critical to the 'Swinging Sixties' scene
'The Truth About Modelling' by Jean Shrimpton
A candid glimpse into the life and early career of the 1960s supermodel
V&A shop
Mary Quant hardback exhibition book
The first focused study of Mary Quant's career, this book shows how she revolutionised fashion to create a new look for everyone
£25 Buy
Quant by Quant: The Autobiography of Mary Quant
The autobiography of the iconic fashion designer Mary Quant, originally published in 1966 at the height of Swinging London
£9.99 Buy
Mary Quant orange silk scarf
This vibrant orange and pink silk scarf features a polka dot pattern with a border of Quant’s totemic daisy logo
£90 Buy
Collections
1960s fashion
Explore
Teachers' Resource
Art & Design and Design & Technology students at Key Stages 3 – 5 can explore key themes from the Mary Quant exhibition with our tailored resource pack
Download the resource
Mary Quant
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Background image: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London