Dress thumbnail 1
Dress thumbnail 2
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images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On short term loan out for exhibition

Dress

1972 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Mary Quant was one of the most important British fashion designer of the 1960s. Along with her husband, Alexander Plunket Greene and business partner Archie McNair, she opened her first boutique, Bazaar, on the King’s Road in 1955. She originally stocked clothes from wholesalers but soon became frustrated with the options available and began making her own designs for clothes that were manufactured and sold successfully. This dress is from Ginger Group, which Quant established in 1963.

Vivien Wearing wore this ensemble as her ‘going-away’ outfit, following her wedding in June 1972. The sailor-style collar of this ensemble, more commonly found on late 19th-century children’s clothes, illustrates the influence of historic fashion often found in Quant’s designs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Ensemble
  • Ensemble
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Ensemble, skirt and blouse with sailor style collar, blue and red stripe, designed by Mary Quant for Ginger Group, Wales, 1972
Physical description
Skirt and top in matching red and blue striped fabric. The top is short sleeved and has a sailor-style collar and bow. The skirt is pleated.
Credit line
Given by Vivien Wearing
Object history
This ensemble was purchased in New Bond Street, London.

This object was acquired as part of the V&A's #WeWantQuant campaign. This was a public call-out for objects designed by Mary Quant. This was run as part of the preparation for an exhibition on Mary Quant 2019/2020
Summary
Mary Quant was one of the most important British fashion designer of the 1960s. Along with her husband, Alexander Plunket Greene and business partner Archie McNair, she opened her first boutique, Bazaar, on the King’s Road in 1955. She originally stocked clothes from wholesalers but soon became frustrated with the options available and began making her own designs for clothes that were manufactured and sold successfully. This dress is from Ginger Group, which Quant established in 1963.

Vivien Wearing wore this ensemble as her ‘going-away’ outfit, following her wedding in June 1972. The sailor-style collar of this ensemble, more commonly found on late 19th-century children’s clothes, illustrates the influence of historic fashion often found in Quant’s designs.
Collection
Accession number
T.62-2018

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Record createdJuly 13, 2018
Record URL
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