Finding reinterpretation of historical influencer in today’s fashion
Posted by Monique Harris on October 1st, 2012
This post will be about a Pre 21st Century Designer that has had an influence on the Fashion that we see today. Mary Quant was an English fashion designer. She is most well known for being the designer to popularize the mini skirt as well as the hot pant.
Mary Quant was born in London on Feburary 11th 1934. Growing up she did not directly aspire to be a fashion designer but she says that she has a memory of cutting up old bedroom sheets she found. She went to Goldsmiths College of Art in London and studied Illustration there. 2 years graduation she opened up the boutique Bazaar in Chelsea, London with partner, and later her husband Alexander Plunkett-Greene. This is where Quant came to her fame.
At Bazaar she sold lots of ready to wear pieces that were geared towards the younger market. She believed that this was an open market because no one was designing for these girls individually, they were being dressed the same as their mother. Here is where Quant popularized the mini skirt. She says that the mini skirt was not her idea at all, but came from the young girls that frequented her shop as each time they wanted the skirts shorter and shorter.
Quant’s designs were very influential to the fashion world during the 60’s because they were completely different from anything that was being seen at the time. Her designs were very simple for the everyday girl. She is quoted saying “I think they sensed that it was about youth and a new generation that scared them. And don’t forget there was nothing else then. Fashion was for the elite. You went to Paris to the couture houses or you tore pictures out of magazines to find a dressmaker who could more or less copy it. “Quant is also known for creating the “London Look” of the 60’s which was knee high, white, patent plastic lace up boots and tight, skinny rib sweaters in stripes and bold checks”
Mary Quant is an influencer of todays fashion because she was the first to really pioneer easy,carefree clothing for young girls which is still seen everywhere today.