Past Exhibition Ran from 6 April 2019 to 16 February 2020

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

This exhibition is now closed at V&A South Kensington

From miniskirts and hot pants to vibrant tights and makeup, this exhibition explored how Mary Quant launched a fashion revolution on the British high street, with over 200 garments, including unseen pieces from the designer's personal archive.

Exhibition Trailer

We use third-party platforms (including Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube) to share some content on this website. These set third-party cookies, for which we need your consent. If you are happy with this, please change your cookie consent for Targeting cookies.

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.

View less

Exhibition Highlights

Black and white photo of Mary Quant sitting on a sofa with her hand on her cheek, looking into the distance
Fashion designer Mary Quant at her apartment in Draycott Place, Chelsea, London, photograph, about 1967, England. © Getty Images
Blue, brown and yellow floral dress, red and white polkadot skirt suit, brown yellow and black dress
Three patterned ensembles, Mary Quant, 1964 – 1971, London, England. Museum no. T.498, 499-1993. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Design sketch for a grey Quant dress with yellow tights and belt
Design for a cowl neck minidress with mustard yellow tights by Mary Quant, London. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Black and white photograph of three models wearing Mary Quant striped shorts and white bras
Three models wearing underwear designed by Mary Quant, about 1966. © Getty Images
Pair of yellow PVC ankle boots with buckle around top
Pair of ankle boots, designed by Mary Quant, 1967, UK. Museum no. T.59:1, 2-1992. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Photograph of Mary Quant and her models. She is holding a model's yellow shoe up
Mary Quant and models at the quantafoot launch of Mary's footwear collection, photograph, 1967. © PA Prints 2008
Black and white photo of Twiggy in front of a Union Jack flag, wearing a Mary Quant shirt, waistcoat, tie and shorts outfit
Twiggy wearing a turquoise moire taffeta waistcoat and skirt, 1966. Photograph © Terence Donovan, courtesy Terence Donovan Archive / Iconic Images
Model wearing yellow satin Quant dress and shorts, and model next to her wearing green satin Quant dress and shorts
Kellie Wilson and model wearing minidress and matching shorts by Mary Quant, photograph, 1966. Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive
Black and white photo of Mary Quant branded London bus, with men and women posing outside it
The Mary Quant beauty bus, photograph, 1971. © INTERFOTO / Alamy Stock Photo
Minidress. Red round collar, blue sleeves and sides, white dress-like overlay over the top
Minidress with 'Peter Pan' collar, Mary Quant's Ginger Group, 1966, England. Given by Professor Deborah Cherry. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Mary Quant pulling out a roll of brown, orange and yellow striped fabric
Mary Quant selecting fabric, 1967. Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Past Events

Features

Shop

Explore the range of exclusive gifts, jewellery, prints and more. Every purchase supports the V&A

Visit the shop
Mary Quant
With support from
Background image: © Mirrorpix/Robert Young