MEMORIES:
Both Mary and her husband had little experience in the fashion world when they opened their little shop. They simply wanted to offer a fresh looking alternative to the stuffy styles produced by the elders of fashion and offer something for the emerging youth culture. Her stylish offerings, both relaxed and modern, were unique and perfect for a new generation, the “Chelsea Set” of London, who loathed the prospect of looking like everyone else.
In the 60s, she and notable fashion designer, Andre Courreges, combined efforts to create the iconic miniskirt, a nod to the “girls in the street” who had begun rehemming their skirts to scandalous lengths. The overwhelming success of the mass-marketed miniskirt would earn her a rightful place in history and make her a household name. Soon after its introduction, Quant would design a whole line of fashionable youthwear for department store chain, J.C. Penny, which along with the skirt, included items such as poorboy sweaters, tights, and crocheted tops. A popular cosmetic line was also offered in 1966. Later in the 60s, she would unleash another popular creation known as “hot pants”.
Quant said that she named the mini skirt after the popular European compact car, the mini. It was fitting then in 1988, when she was asked to design the interior of a limited-edition of the mini-Cooper, complete with a daisy emblem on the steering wheel, long an icon for her clothing and cosmetic brands. Today, he legacy continues, although she stepped down as director for Mary Quant L.T.D. in 2000. In Japan alone, there are over 200 Mary Quant shops.
Mary Quant’s simple desire to offer something different and modern to the populace has made her name synonymous with the street style movement and her place in history secured, thanks to the mini-skirt. In some small way, she was the Madonna of her time, a person who took fashion risks and changed the way people viewed style forever.
