Mary Quant

You cannot have a discussion about 1960's fashion without mentioning one name: Mary Quant. This innovative designer has been credited with helping to bring the miniskirt, hot pants, and patterned tights into the mainstream. Her influence was far reaching, and her "mod" look is still being worn by some of the most fashion conscious women walking the streets today.

Mary Quant was born February 11, 1934 in Blackheath. She originally studied illustration in college, and was drawn to fashion when she began work as a couture milliner. In 1955, Mary Quant and her husband opened their first clothing store, Bazaar. She made a name for herself selling funky dresses, and colourful tights. She soon became disenchanted with what was being offered by her manufacturers, so she hired a dressmaker, and began designing clothing in her London apartment.

Her original line offered Mary Quant little critical or financial success. This was until 1963, when the American based department store J.C. Penney offered her the opportunity to design a line in an attempt to revitalize their image. Her popularity sky rocketed in mid 60's with her introduction of the micro mini and plastic raincoats. This boom lasted throughout the rest of the decade, when her hot pants flew off the shelves, and onto the hips of young women across England and the United States.

Mary Quant helped bring about a revolution in woman's clothing not seen since the era of the flappers during the 1920's. Fashion became about youth and vitality, not what was being presented in the stuffy couture houses of Paris and Milan. Women of all ages and social standing could walk down the streets of London, New York, or Cleveland, wearing designer pieces that were considered the height of fashion. Her unique influence was even seen in the world of music. Singer Donovan Leitch mentioned the name Mary Quant in his 1967 song "Sunny South Kensington".

In the 1970's, Mary Quant's main focus shifted from fashion to household goods, make up, home furnishings, and even her own brand of wine. Her role had become one of consultant during the past three decades, and in 2000, she resigned from her cosmetic's company Mary Quant, Ltd.