Background information
Gen Z or millennial? How you wear your cardigan reveals your age
by Laura Scholz
Mary Quant, mother of the miniskirt, has died
14.4.2023
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
What does a 93-year-old have to do with miniskirts? Everything! Mary Quant created short hemlines and a big buzz in the 1960s. Now, the designer has passed away.
Not long now before the summer rolls in. That time of the year when the drinks can’t be cold enough and the hemlines not short enough. As every year, the fabric-to-skin ratio does a 180-degree flip. Suddenly, you see toes exposed, bellies flashing and bare legs everywhere. We have Mary Quant to thank for the latter. Why? The British designer, born on 11 February 1930 in Blackheath, London, sparked a small revolution in the early 1960s.
On 13 April 2023, the legendary designer passed away at the age of 93. Mary Quant leaves behind a son, three grandchildren and an impressive life’s work.
Source: Instagram @documenting_fashion
The grand entrance of the miniskirt
Influenced by the rather demure and conservative 50s, fashion in the early 60s still involved dresses and skirt hems that covered women’s knees – ideally reaching all the way down to the middle of the calf. But Mary Quant wanted more. More legroom. To dance, run and conquer the world. And so this visionary lady, who had already opened her first boutique in London’s borough of Chelsea at the age of 21, decided to drastically change the concept of skirts worn in daily life. Less fabric, shorter hems – hello knees! With the support of supermodel Twiggy, she established the miniskirt as an acceptable item of clothing and catapulted it into the highest spheres of fashion in the Swinging Sixties.
In 1966, Quant received an OBE for her exceptional contribution to the fashion industry. In the course of her life, she made further ingenious inventions including hot pants, plastic raincoats and waterproof mascara. She also went on to receive a damehood and was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
Thank you for everything.
Laura Scholz
Senior Editor
Laura.Scholz@digitecgalaxus.chAlways in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.
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