Mini-Dress
1972
| 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 into a household name and a commercial success.
Her contribution to British life was marked by a retrospective exhibition at the London Museum in 1973. The exhibition included many of Quant's most revolutionary garments, some remade as facsimiles if original ones could not be found.
Her contribution to British life was marked by a retrospective exhibition at the London Museum in 1973. The exhibition included many of Quant's most revolutionary garments, some remade as facsimiles if original ones could not be found.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | cotton seersucker, braid |
| Brief description | 1972 Mary Quant red seersucker cotton minidress with matching hotpants; leather and plastic shoes. |
| Physical description | Red seersucker square-necked smock with green braid trimming, pin-tucked front, high waistline, back buttoning. Double-layered sleeve, outer cape sleeve and hem of skirt vandyked, undersleeve full length and elasticated at wrist. |
| Production type | Ready to wear |
| Gallery label | [Mary Quant exhibition tour, 2020 - 2021]
DRESS WITH HOTPANTS
1972
Rickrack-braid and smocking with cotton seersucker fabric recalls old-fashioned summer dresses,
brought up to date with bright 1970s colours. Fifteen year-old Hazel Collins, modelled a similar outfit wearing Mary Quant platform-soled shoes, in a pose which revealed baby bloomer-style hotpants. Quant’s Daisy doll wardrobe of 1978 featured a strikingly similar red dress with contrast-colour stitching, (displayed nearby).
Cotton seersucker and rick rack braid
Labelled ‘Mary Quant’
Made in London (probably)
Given by Mary Quant Ltd
V&A: T.133-1976
Shoes
1972
Leather, plastic and metal Labelled ‘Mary Quant’
Manufactured by Mary Quant shoes, Bristol
Given by Mary Quant Ltd
V&A: T.113A&B-1976(30/03/2020) |
| Credit line | Given by Mary Quant |
| 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 into a household name and a commercial success. Her contribution to British life was marked by a retrospective exhibition at the London Museum in 1973. The exhibition included many of Quant's most revolutionary garments, some remade as facsimiles if original ones could not be found. |
| Bibliographic reference | Carter, Ernestine. Mary Quant's London, London Museum, 1973
54 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.113&A-B-1976 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
