Beret
Beret
1967
1967
| 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 | |
| Title | Beret (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Wool |
| Brief description | Black beret, wool felt, designed by Mary Quant for Kangol. |
| Physical description | Black beret, wool felt, designed by Mary Quant for Kangol. It is stamped inside with both the daisy logo and the Kangol crossed knitting needles. Manufactured in 1967 by Kangol in Cleator, Cumbria. |
| Gallery label | [Mary Quant exhibition, 2019]
BERETS
1967
The Kangol beret was cosy and adaptable, worn by both soldiers and schoolgirls in sober workwear colours. Quant appropriated it for her top-to-toe look. It was manufactured by Kangol in 12 colours, retailing at 12 shillings and 6 pence (about £9 today). Advertised with confrontational slogans such as, ‘Is this just another fad?’ in magazines from Vogue to Petticoat, Jackie and 19, they were an inexpensive way of achieving the Mary Quant look.
Wool felt
Made by Kangol, Cleator, Cumbria
V&A: T.14-2019(30/03/2020) |
| Credit line | Given by Beryl Jackson |
| Object history | Mary Quant announced a collaboration with British beret makers Kangol in 1967. Quant berets were made in wool and available in twelve colours and cost 12 shillings and 6d. They were stamped inside with both the daisy logo and the Kangol crossed knitting needles. The berets were marketed as an integral part of the Quant look but also as an inexpensive way to update an outfit. They were widely featured in younger maga¬zines including Vogue, Petticoat, Flair, Jackie and 19, generating additional business for both Kangol and Quant. This object is one of over 35 objects acquired in preparation for the Mary Quant exhibition, 4 of them being berets showing the range of the Kangol line (yellow, black, grey and beige versions). These objects have been chosen to show the range of Quant’s designs and chart the development of her career and brand, from 1955 to 1975. Many of them have been acquired as a direct result of the V&A’s call for Mary Quant garments (#WeWantQuant), broadcast as part of the upcoming Mary Quant exhibition. Many have well-documented provenance. |
| 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.14-2019 |
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| Record created | March 1, 2019 |
| Record URL |
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