Mary Quant (2024)

(Lovinski)

Biography

Mary Quant, British fashion designer, rose to popularity in the 1960’s with her iconic designs such as the signature miniskirt and go-go boots. Quant was born in Blackheath, London in 1934 (Lovinski 52). She was raised as the only daughter of two parents, who happened to be professors. When she turned sixteen, The Goldsmith’s College of Art accepted her a former student with intentions to be an art teacher. She worked as a milliner in the time being and dropped out of college (Polan 103).
Living with her husband, Alexander Plunket Greene, she couldn’t afford clothing therefore leading her to make her own clothing. Her designs were seen as a strange and odd aesthetic. As she reflected her personality towards her ideas and designs, many were interested to see a new change during this era. Know as the modernist during the “youth quake”, she became an immediate successor when she opened her first store, Bazaar, in 1955 with help of her husband, who happened to be a business entrepreneur (Polan 104). Bazaar merchandise included hats, jewelry, scarves, and sweaters that were seen youthful and modernized (Fashion Encyclopedia).
As her everyday style became a huge hit, Mary Quant received international fame and demand. As her business increases throughout Europe, Mary expands by exporting her clothing line to the United States of America. As an intelligent businesswoman, Quant received worldwide attention causing a higher demand for her signature looks, especially her mini-skirts.

(StyleSight)

Critical Analysis

Designers, such as Claire McCardel, Pierre Cardin, Coco Chanel, and André Courrèges, have influenced Mary Quant but she was also mainly influenced by the zeitgeist of the time she grew as a design in the 1960s. McCardelhad a way of making clothing accessible tothe mass market and Quant inspired to do the same by providing theconsumer with excellent fit and affordability (Lovinski 52). Mary Quant believes in ready-to-wear that is experimental and innovative just like Pierre Cardin'swork. André Courrèges, Quant’s bitter rivalry, claims to have invented the mini-skirt, not Mary Quant. There is no doubt they would have some type of influenced on each other but they both made a great impact during the 1960s with their innovative designs.
The youthquake, women’s right, and pop art were the great influences towards Quant’s ideas, which caused uproar during this time period. The positive outlook of youth, and the possibility for success they withheld was a huge motive for Quant to create designs reelecting this spirit. She even entitled her 1960 spring collection ‘Youthquake.’ (Webb 72)
Pop Art was an admiration for designer Mary quant because of the graphic qualities of artists such as Andy Warhol. This influenced was seen in Mary Quants skirt and leggings(images on left)by using popping and fun colors in her designs.
Mary Quant is a pivotal Designer in fashion history, who helped set an example for women. Essential ideas, such as ease of movement, affordability and youthful playfulness were her main aesthetics elements” (Lovinski 52). Women’s rights impacted Mary’s idea to influence young women who wanted to be free from domestic roles. This lead young women to have comfort and ease to wear whatever they favored.

(WGSN) (WWD)

Future Analysis

Mary Quant has influenced three major trends, which we see in today’s society. The mini-skirt, which is the most popular, go-go boots, and hot pants are the biggest trends we see in the 21st century. These trends are being modified and created different by upcoming designers.
Mary Quant’s go-go boots of the 1960s has transition into other trends and will continue to evolve and emerge into the future trends to come. I have come to realize how the go-go boots, the lasting silhouette in the fashion industry, has evolved into what we call today’s ‘rain boots’. On the other hand, we see the mini-skirt trend to last throughout the 1960s and surprisingly we still see this trend in today’s world.
Other than influencing the future with trends, Mary Quant has also inspired designers such as Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Anna Sui (Lovinski 52, 53). Betsy Johnson’s business model was adopted by Quant’s success. Quant’s playfulness and youth inspired Johnson’s designs and more importantly her personality. Other than being young and playful, Johnson and Quant have both mastered the concept of pricing their clothing line to be affordable and wearable on a day-to-day basis. Johnson’s Spring collection in 2010(image on left), as we can see, is very similar to Quant's aesthetic elements. Designer Anna Sui is very similar to Mary Quant’s design ideas and business perspectives. They have both agreed to produce clothing that is chic and trendy that can be worn everyday and any time. Another well-known designer thathas looked up toMary Quant's designs is Diane Von Furstenburg. These two designers can be both constantly use short mini dresses and dresses with color blocking(image to right).