This article forms part of the Decorative and Applied Arts Encyclopedia, a master reference hub providing a structured overview of design history, materials, movements, and practitioners.
Dame Mary Quant, a pivotal figure in British fashion design, studied art and design at Goldsmiths College of Art from 1952 to 1955. During this time, she took evening classes in clothing construction and cutting. In 1955, in Knightsbridge, London, she established her first shop, Bazaar, on King’s Road. She later opened a second shop that Terence Conran designed in Knightsbridge.
Biography
During the swinging sixties, Mary Quant became almost synonymous with the internationally recognized concept of ‘Swinging London.’ She is credited with popularizing the miniskirt. It became a ubiquitous fashion icon of the Pop era. It also symbolized newfound sexual freedoms. Her contributions to fashion and design extended beyond clothing, as she experimented with new materials and ventured into cosmetics.
Quant’s success was not limited to the United Kingdom, as she also gained recognition in the United States. She designed clothing and underwear collections for various companies and featured her patterns in Butterick Paper Patterns. Quant collaborated with several brands throughout her career. She designed berets and hats for Kangol, bed linen and curtains for Dorma, and sunglasses for Polaroid. She also created carpets for Templeton, shoes for K Shoes, and clothing for Great Universal Stores. In the late 1990s, she expanded her business by opening stores in Paris and New York.
Embed from Getty ImagesRecognition
Dame Mary Quant received numerous honours and awards throughout her career. She was named ‘Woman of the Year in London’ in 1963 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1966. In 1969, she was elected as a Royal Designer for Industry. In 2002, she was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour. Her contributions to fashion were recognized through exhibitions, including Mary Quant’s London exhibition at the London Museum in 1973 and an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2020.
As of 2023, Dame Mary Quant, aged 93, was honoured in the New Year Honours list by being appointed as a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour. This recognition was prestigious. It placed her among notable recipients. These include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Paul McCartney, and Sir Elton John (Designer Dame Mary Quant Gets Top Honour in New Year Honours List, 2023).
Sources
Designer Dame Mary Quant gets top honour in New Year Honours list. (2023, March 4). Independent. https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/designer-dame-mary-quant-gets-top-honour-in-new-year-honours-list-42253697.html
Woodham, J. M. (2006). A dictionary of modern design. Oxford University Press.
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