Discover the legacy of Mary Quant

Mary Quant, born 11 February 1934, was an avant-garde British fashion designer.

The ‘mother’ of one of the most versatile pieces of women’s wardrobe died yesterday, on April 13, at the age of 93.

But after all, who was Mary Quant and why is her invention so iconic?

_{Mary Quant (Photo: Getty Images)}

The girl who thought of becoming a teacher, like her parents, had her life transformed when she met her husband and business partner, Alexander Plunket Greene, while studying at the Goldsmiths School of Art at the University of London. Both entered the business world and, in 1955, Mary, aged 21, opened her Bazaar boutique on King’s Road, where she sold, in principle, pieces by well-known designers, which attracted her customers who were looking for originality.

However, over time, Mary began to invest in her own creations and started to sell only her pieces, which were popular with her customers. Her creations were very colorful and Quant valued comfort.

His greatest creation is still an almost obligatory item in women’s clothing: the miniskirt. The piece was very well accepted and practically became a symbol of the ‘sixties’ style.

_{Mary Quant with a customer in her store (Photo: Getty Images)}

In addition to the miniskirt, Mary was also responsible for the creation of colored stockings, which, time after time, are back in fashion. She also created ribbed sweaters, crocheted vests, and dropped belts.

Quant’s creations followed a creative, pioneering line and were accessible to all classes.

In 1966, due to her prestige and influence in society, the designer was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire, granted by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2015, she won another honor from the then Queen of England: the title of Dame of the Order of the British Empire.

Mary retired from designing in the early 2000s and chose to dedicate herself to family life, away from the spotlight.

About Quant, highlights the Victoria & Albert museum in London, which dedicated an extensive retrospective to her in 2019, “Quant represented the joyful freedom of fashion in the 1960s and provided a new model to follow for young women. Current fashion owes a lot to his pioneering vision”.

Featured photo – Mary Quant (Photo: Keystone/ Getty Images)