Dress
ca. 1966 (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.
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 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Wool |
| Brief description | Mini-dress and belt in wool tweed, Mary Quant, London, ca. 1966 |
| Physical description | Mini-dress and belt in plain and checked wool. |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'MADE IN ENGLAND [sideways from bottom to top] MARY QUANT'S / ginger / GROUP®' (On label) |
| Gallery label | [Mary Quant exhibition, 2019]
DRESS WITH PLEATED SKIRT
1966
At its launch in 1963, Quant’s Ginger Group range was available at 59 different department stores and independent boutiques across the UK including Ash Fashions in Giffnock and Lilian’s in Dundee. This dress was found as unsold stock from Merlyn in Whitechapel, east London, a smart boutique frequented by East End gangsters and their girlfriends.
Wool tweed
Labelled ‘Mary Quant’s Ginger Group’
Made by Steinbergs, Pontypridd, Wales (probably)
Given by Lina Salmon
V&A: T.87-1982(30/03/2020) |
| 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. 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.87:1, 2-1982 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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