Dame Mary Quant: We look back at the late designer’s incredible legacy

The inventor of the mini skirt died age 93


Mary Quant, clothes designer, standing near to her fashion shop Bazaar, in The Brompton Road, Knightsbridge,London, SW1, 14th October 1960 . (Photo by Cyril Maitland/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
On 13 April 2023

Legendary British fashion designer Dame Mary Quant has died aged 93 on 13 April, 2023. In a statement from her family it was announced that she, "died peacefully at home in Surrey, UK this morning".

The family continued that she was “one of the most internationally recognised fashion designers of the 20th Century and an outstanding innovator… 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."

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© Fairchild Archive

Mary Quant

The designer established herself as one of the driving forces of British fashion and is often credited as the ‘inventor of the mini skirt’ which became one of the defining styles of the 1960s

In honour of her legacy we take a look back at her incredible life in pictures:

© Evening Standard

Mary Quant - 27th January 1959.

English fashion designer Mary Quant eating a lollipop at a party, on 27th January 1959. With her is her husband, Alexander Plunket Greene. 

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© Mirrorpix

Mary Quant - 14 October 1960

Mary Quant wearing a plaid outfit standing near her fashion shop Bazaar on the Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London.

© Mirrorpix

Model wearing Mary Quant - 13 September 1962.

A model wearing flared trousers and matching white top with detail at the hem, paired with a  black wide brimmed hat. Designed by Mary Quant. 

© Central Press

Model Jackie Bowyer - October 1963

Model Jackie Bowyer swings on a lamppost wearing a black oilskin wet-weather outfit from Mary Quant, of matching coat and hat with shiny, high-heeled boots, London, 15th October 1963. The outfit was shown that evening at the first Sunday Times International Fashion Awards ceremony. 

© Central Press

Mary Quant - 15 October 1963

Mary Quant at the rehearsal for the first Sunday Times International Fashion Awards show in the Grand Ballroom of London's Hilton Hotel, the men she is photographed with are (from left to right) fashion designers Emilio Pucci, Pierre Cardin,  and fashion authority James Laver. 

© Mirrorpix

Mary Quant - 12 November 1964

Mary Quant seen here having the finishing touches made to her new hairstyle by legendary coiffure Vidal Sassoon.

© Hulton Deutsch

Mary Quant - 1966

Mary Quant at Buckingham Palace with her husband Alexander Plunkett-Greene and Archie McNair, the Chairman of Mary Quant Fashions. She displays her O.B.E. medal after being presented with it by the Queen, 1966. 

© George Freston

Mary Quant - 15 August 1967

Mary Quant with models at the launch of her 'Quant Afoot' range of boots in fashion colours in London. The boots are covered in clear plastic to keep the colours fresh and the surface shiny. 

© Tim Graham

Model wearing Mary Quant - Spring 1972

A model wearing a 'Bee Bop' trouser suit from the Mary Quant collection for Spring 1972, in London on the 3rd November 1971. 

© Central Press

Mary Quant - 2 May 1972

Mary Quant at the launch of her Ginger Group and knitwear collections for the autumn at the Savoy Hotel, London. Model Lorain (left) wears a knitted sweater and skirt in pink mohair called Sugarplum, and Freddie (right) wears a pink woollen flannel dress with large sleeves and a matching hat, called Marshmallow.

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