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On loan

  • On short term loan out for exhibition

Mini-Dress

1966 (made)
Artist/Maker
Mary Quant (maker)
Place of origin
London (made)

Mary Quant's mini-dresses for her 'Ginger Group' label epitomise the 1960s fashion revolution. This jersey shift dress is like a sweater grown to dress length, and a version was modelled by Twiggy in a Vogue 'Young Idea' fashion spread in April 1966. With the hem well above the knee it was ideally suited to her boyish figure.

The dress was donated as unsold stock from a smart boutique called 'Merlyn', in London's East End, reputedly patronised by gangsters and their girlfriends.

Object details

Categories
Fashion
Womenswear
Day Wear
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Mini-dress
Materials and techniques
Wool jersey
Wool Jersey
Brief description
Wool jersey mini-dress, made by Mary Quant, London, 1966.
Physical description
Pink wool jersey mini-dress with cream trim and pocket detail.
Marks and inscriptions
'MADE IN ENGLAND / MARY QUANT'S ginger GROUP (R)' (Woven label)
Gallery label
(30/03/2020)
[Mary Quant exhibition, 2019]

JERSEY DRESSES
1966

Quant played with the jersey dress format, designing multiple options: round or high collars, with zips or buttons, pocket logos, different sleeves and skirts, and even hoods. With her brightly- coloured wool berets, matching tights and even shoes, Quant customers could recreate the complete look.

Bonded wool jersey
Labelled ‘Mary Quant’s Ginger Group’
Made in the Steinberg factory, Pontypridd, Wales
V&A: T.86-1982
Given by Lina Salmon
Summary
Mary Quant's mini-dresses for her 'Ginger Group' label epitomise the 1960s fashion revolution. This jersey shift dress is like a sweater grown to dress length, and a version was modelled by Twiggy in a Vogue 'Young Idea' fashion spread in April 1966. With the hem well above the knee it was ideally suited to her boyish figure.

The dress was donated as unsold stock from a smart boutique called 'Merlyn', in London's East End, reputedly patronised by gangsters and their girlfriends.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.86-1982

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Record createdMarch 15, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121967/mini-dress-mary-quant/
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