Dress
c.1973 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Mary Quant’s first boutique, Bazaar, opened in London's King's Road in 1955, launching a successful fashion career. Her youthful easy-to-wear clothing became so popular that in 1963, she launched a lower-priced ready-to-wear range called 'Ginger Group'. She also entered into licensing agreements with manufacturers to produce hosiery, underwear, cosmetics and accessories bearing her name. Almost anyone, whatever their income, could spare the money to buy a pair of 'Mary Quant' stockings or a lipstick. This enabled girls who could not otherwise afford her clothing to feel in touch with fashion, and made Mary Quant a household name and a commercial success.
By 1970, Mary Quant and her business partners closed their Bazaar boutiques to focus on the licencing business, although Quant continued to design good quality ready-to-wear fashion retailed in department stores and independent boutiques under her own name. This dress and trousers set may never have been put into production, as no other examples have been found. This outfit comes from the wardrobe of Pamela Howard Mace (1932-2008), who had a long career in fashion, after starting work in London for the magazine Home Notes, at the age of sixteen. She moved to South Africa for a while, but returned to London in 1962, where she worked for Mary Quant as her PA, becoming design director in 1968 until the late 1970s.
By 1970, Mary Quant and her business partners closed their Bazaar boutiques to focus on the licencing business, although Quant continued to design good quality ready-to-wear fashion retailed in department stores and independent boutiques under her own name. This dress and trousers set may never have been put into production, as no other examples have been found. This outfit comes from the wardrobe of Pamela Howard Mace (1932-2008), who had a long career in fashion, after starting work in London for the magazine Home Notes, at the age of sixteen. She moved to South Africa for a while, but returned to London in 1962, where she worked for Mary Quant as her PA, becoming design director in 1968 until the late 1970s.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | |
Brief description | Ensemble, multi-coloured ombre printed silk comprising of full length dress with halter-neck with high waist, with matching trousers, Mary Quant, c.1973 |
Physical description | A two-piece ensemble of silk, ombre-printed with broad bands of rainbow colours, a halterneck, high-waisted full-length dress, worn with matching loose trousers with an elasticated waist. |
Credit line | Given by Linda Kirby in memory of her godmother, Pamela Howard Mace |
Object history | Worn by Pamela Howard Mace (1932-2008) |
Summary | Mary Quant’s first boutique, Bazaar, opened in London's King's Road in 1955, launching a successful fashion career. Her youthful easy-to-wear clothing became so popular that in 1963, she launched a lower-priced ready-to-wear range called 'Ginger Group'. She also entered into licensing agreements with manufacturers to produce hosiery, underwear, cosmetics and accessories bearing her name. Almost anyone, whatever their income, could spare the money to buy a pair of 'Mary Quant' stockings or a lipstick. This enabled girls who could not otherwise afford her clothing to feel in touch with fashion, and made Mary Quant a household name and a commercial success. By 1970, Mary Quant and her business partners closed their Bazaar boutiques to focus on the licencing business, although Quant continued to design good quality ready-to-wear fashion retailed in department stores and independent boutiques under her own name. This dress and trousers set may never have been put into production, as no other examples have been found. This outfit comes from the wardrobe of Pamela Howard Mace (1932-2008), who had a long career in fashion, after starting work in London for the magazine Home Notes, at the age of sixteen. She moved to South Africa for a while, but returned to London in 1962, where she worked for Mary Quant as her PA, becoming design director in 1968 until the late 1970s. |
Collection | |
Accession number | T.26:1, 2-2013 |
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Record created | March 7, 2013 |
Record URL |
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