Ensemble (dress, knickerbockers, & hat)
- Place of origin:
London, England (retailed)
- Date:
1958 (designed)
1973 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Quant, Mary, born 1934 (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
[Knickerbockers] Wool flannel, sewn
- Credit Line:
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Image in copyright
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.
Physical description
[Knickerbockers] Knickerbockers, part of an ensemble with grey flannel dress and hat. The knickerbockers are knee length with a flat pleated frill and white metal button at the knee. They fasten at the back with a zip fastener.
[Belt] Belt, part of an ensemble consisting of a dress of grey flannel, knickerbockers and hat. The matching belt has a white metal buckle.
[Dress] Dress of grey flannel, part of an ensemble with knickerbockers and hat. The dress has a round neck and is sleeveless. It has a long waisted loosely fitted bodice and a shirt slightly gathered skirt. there is an underskirt of grey and white narrow striped cotton which shows at the hem. The dress is lined with grey nylon satin and fastens at the back with a zip.
[Hat] Hat, part of an ensemble with knickerbockers and dress. The matching hat has a flat topped crown and curving stitched brim. It is lined with white nylon.
Place of Origin
London, England (retailed)
Date
1958 (designed)
1973 (made)
Artist/maker
Quant, Mary, born 1934 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
[Knickerbockers] Wool flannel, sewn
Marks and inscriptions
'MARY QUANT / MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN'
Object history note
No 7 in the London Museum Mary Quant exhibition, 1974. Re-made in 1973 for this exhibition, to the 1958 design.
Descriptive line
Ensemble of dress, knickerbockers, belt and hat, designed by Mary Quant, London, 1958.
Exhibition History
Sixties Fashion (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/2006-31/12/2006)
Mary Quant's London (Museum of London 01/01/1973-31/12/1973)
Production Note
Remade in 1973 for Museum of London retrospective
Materials
Cotton; Metal; Flannel
Techniques
Weaving; Sewing; Pleating
Categories
Clothing; Fashion
Collection code
T&F
