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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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 |
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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 created | May 20, 2013 |
Record URL |
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