British fashion designer Mary Quant who introduced the world to miniskirts and hot pants that helped define Britain’s “Swinging Sixties” era has left for the heavenly abode. The fashion icon passed away at the age of 93 on April 13, 2023.
Mary Quant, best noted as the mother of miniskirts took her last breaths on Thursday at her home in Surrey, in southern England. The sad news of the fashionista’s demise was announced by her family. Continue reading further to know the cause behind the demise of the legendary fashion designer Mary Quant.
What was the cause behind the demise of Mary Quant?
Mary Quant, the British queen of fashion passed away at the age of 93. She died peacefully at her home in Surrey, London. A statement issued by her family read, “Dame Mary, aged 93, was one of the most internationally recognized Fashion Designers of the 20th Century and an outstanding innovator of the Swinging Sixties.’”
Her family went on to say, ‘She opened her first shop Bazaar in the Kings Road in 1955 and her far-sighted and creative talents quickly established a unique contribution to British fashion. Credited with conceiving the miniskirt and hot pants and developing the mod style during that vibrant decade Mary put the fun in fashion and London became defined by the freedom, energy and popular culture of “The Chelsea Girl.”’
The statement further read, “The V&A’s hugely successful Mary Quant exhibition covering the first 20 years of her career, 1955-1975, will open in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum next month after its international tour to Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Japan, and following its runs in London in 2019 and Dundee in 2020.”
Her family continued, ‘At the time Dame Mary Quant was quoted as saying: “It was wonderfully exciting and despite the frenetic, hard work we had enormous fun. We didn’t necessarily realize that what we were creating was pioneering, we were simply too busy relishing all the opportunities and embracing the results before rushing on to the next challenge!!”’
The statement concluded, “Her husband Alexander Plunket Greene died in 1990 and she is survived by her son Orlando, three grandchildren, and her brother Tony Quant.” As of this moment, the exact cause behind the demise of Mary Quant is unknown.
Who was Mary Quant?
Mary Quant was born on February 11, 1930, in southeast London. She was the daughter of two Welsh schoolteachers. In the 1950s, she obtained a diploma in art education at Goldsmiths College. It was the same place where she met her husband Alexander Plunket Greene. Later on, he helped her establish her own clothing designs.
Soon after, Quant started an apprenticeship at a high-end milliner. After 2 years, she opened her famous boutique, Bazaar, on King’s Road in Chelsea. She created her own designs because she wasn’t happy with the clothes available in the wholesale market.
Then, Quant’s designs became a hit among the females. The shift dresses and minidresses became her trademark. She was honored with an OBE in 1966 for her contributions to the fashion world.
During a 1967 interview with The Guardian, Mary said that “good taste is death, vulgarity is life”, and raised the hemline well above the knee as she made short dresses as well as skirts with simple shapes and strong colours that she described as “arrogant, aggressive and sexy”.
She was made a Dame in the 2015 New Year’s Honours list. At that time, Quant said, “It was the girls on King’s Road who invented the mini. I was making clothes which would let you run and dance and we would make them the length the customer wanted. I wore them very short and the customers would say, ‘shorter, shorter’.”
While talking about the first 20 years of her career, Mary said, “It was wonderfully exciting and despite the frenetic, hard work we had enormous fun. We didn’t necessarily realise that what we were creating was pioneering, we were simply too busy relishing all the opportunities and embracing the results before rushing on to the next challenge.”
Tributes pour in for British fashion icon Mary Quant
Model and photographer Pattie Boyd paid a heartfelt tribute to Mary on the social media platform Facebook. She wrote, “Very sad news today to learn of the passing of the 60s daringly creative, fun genius, much-loved lady, Dame Mary Quant. Mary insisted on making George’s and my wedding coats in 1966; his, Black Mongolian Fur and mine, Red Fox. A true icon. RIP.”
Former British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman mourned the loss of Mary Quant on social media. She tweeted, “RIP Dame Mary Quant She was one of the truly influential figures in fashion and defined the way women thought about themselves. A leader of fashion but also in female entrepreneurship – a visionary who was much more than a great haircut.”
RIP Dame Mary Quant. A leader of fashion but also in female entrepreneurship- a visionary who was much more than a great haircut
— Alexandra Shulman (@AShulman2) April 13, 2023
In a statement issued to BBC, Hollywood actress, and designer Sadie Frost mentioned that she was “honoured” to front a documentary about Dame Mary’s “astonishing life” in 2021. She told the publication, “The more I researched and delved into her life I realised the vast impact she had on fashion, popular culture, history, and women’s rights. I really felt like I knew and loved her. Rest in peace, Mary.”
Actress and model Twiggy Lawson shared on Instagram how Mary Quant changed the world of fashion with her designs. She penned, “Mary Quant was such an influence on young girls in the late 50s early 60s. She revolutionised fashion and was a brilliant female entrepreneur. The 1960s would have never been the same without her. Condolences to her family, RIP dear Dame Mary.”
The Victoria & Albert Museum shared, “It’s impossible to overstate Quant’s contribution to fashion. She represented the joyful freedom of 1960s fashion and provided a new role model for young women. Fashion today owes so much to her trailblazing vision.”
We send our deepest condolences to the close friends and family members of the British fashion designer Mary Quant during this hard time. May she rest in peace. Don’t forget to stay tuned with us for the latest updates from the world of entertainment.
