Ensemble thumbnail 1
Ensemble thumbnail 2
+4
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Not on display

This object consists of 4 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Ensemble

1958 (designed), 1973 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Mary Quant’s boutique, Bazaar, opened in London's King's Road in 1955, and epitomised the look worn by the 'Chelsea Set'. Inspired by the informal clothes worn by artists, dancers and musicians, Bazaar sold an eclectic mix of women's clothes, accessories and costume jewellery. The clothes were decidedly modern. ‘I want relaxed clothes,’ said Quant, ‘suited to the actions of normal life’.

Some of Mary Quant’s early designs combined historical garments and traditional men’s suitings, such as pin stripes and grey flannel, in playful and subversive ways. In this design she re-works knickerbockers taken from Victorian underwear into a quirky daytime ensemble.

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read Six revolutionary designs by Mary Quant Modern fashion owes a great deal to the trailblazing 1960s designer Mary Quant (1930 – 2023). From skinny-rib sweaters, to coloured tights and 'onesies', here's our round-up of the signature Quant looks which revolutionised the way we dress, proving there was more to Mary than just minisk...

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Knickerbockers
  • Belt
  • Dress
  • Hat
Brief description
Ensemble of dress, knickerbockers, belt and hat, designed by Mary Quant, London, 1958.
Marks and inscriptions
'MARY QUANT / MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN' (Woven label in each garment)
Credit line
Given by Mary Quant
Object history
No 7 in the London Museum Mary Quant exhibition, 1974. Re-made in 1973 for this exhibition, to the 1958 design.
Production
Remade in 1973 for Museum of London retrospective
Summary
Mary Quant’s boutique, Bazaar, opened in London's King's Road in 1955, and epitomised the look worn by the 'Chelsea Set'. Inspired by the informal clothes worn by artists, dancers and musicians, Bazaar sold an eclectic mix of women's clothes, accessories and costume jewellery. The clothes were decidedly modern. ‘I want relaxed clothes,’ said Quant, ‘suited to the actions of normal life’.

Some of Mary Quant’s early designs combined historical garments and traditional men’s suitings, such as pin stripes and grey flannel, in playful and subversive ways. In this design she re-works knickerbockers taken from Victorian underwear into a quirky daytime ensemble.
Bibliographic reference
Carter, Ernestine. Mary Quant's London, London Museum, 1973 7
Collection
Accession number
T.103 to C-1976

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Record createdJune 12, 2006
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