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Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level D , Case FD, Shelf 17

Design

1961-1965 (made)
Artist/Maker

Mary Quant, best known for popularising the mini-skirt, was a hit among young aspiring fashionistas of the 1960’s. Her store, Bazaar, opened in 1955 in London and quickly became popular for the ‘Chelsea set’, which was a group of young artists, film directors and socialites. It became a focal point for 1960’s young adult fashion because it provided a place for young people, who no longer wanted to dress like their parents, to purchase clothing that matched their urban lifestyle. Innovative designs featuring fun colourful clothing, like skinny-rib sweaters and pinafore dresses, were catered for customers’ demands. Mini-skirts and the mini-dresses with coloured tights were the most appealing for the female consumer.

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make Sew your own: Mary Quant 'Georgie' dress Exclusive to the V&A, this free, downloadable sewing pattern shows you how to recreate an original Mary Quant design from 1962: the bold and beautiful 'Georgie' dress.

Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Design for 'Georgie' and 'Rosie' dress by Mary Quant, c.1961-5
Physical description
Fashion design for a striped dress with a trimmed crossover bodice. Vertical stripes run on the bodice while the gathered skirt and wide sash feature horizontal stripes. Name, address, and company inscribed on paper.
Dimensions
  • Length: 29.8cm
  • Width: 21cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Georgie' Striped cotton dress with frill trimmed crossover bodice. Stripes are vertical on the bodice and horizontal on the gathered skirt and wide sash. Colours - black with orange stripes and navy with red stripes. Lined with cotton batiste. Retail Price 12 1/2 gns. 'Rosie' Same style in chiffon lined with taffeta. Available in black, pink and jade. Retail price 22 gns.
Summary
Mary Quant, best known for popularising the mini-skirt, was a hit among young aspiring fashionistas of the 1960’s. Her store, Bazaar, opened in 1955 in London and quickly became popular for the ‘Chelsea set’, which was a group of young artists, film directors and socialites. It became a focal point for 1960’s young adult fashion because it provided a place for young people, who no longer wanted to dress like their parents, to purchase clothing that matched their urban lifestyle. Innovative designs featuring fun colourful clothing, like skinny-rib sweaters and pinafore dresses, were catered for customers’ demands. Mini-skirts and the mini-dresses with coloured tights were the most appealing for the female consumer.
Bibliographic reference
Blackman, Cally. 100 Years of Fashion Illustration. London: Laurence King, 2007.
Collection
Accession number
E.255-2013

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Record createdMay 20, 2013
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