TRIBUTES are pouring in following the tragic passing of British fashion icon Dame Mary Quant.
Quant shot to fame after designing fashion staples such as the miniskirt, hotpants and boldly coloured tights, after approaching clothes with a design motto of “be yourself, free yourself.”
Today Quant's family announced she had passed away at the age of 93.
A statement said she "died peacefully at home in Surrey, UK this morning."
It added: "Dame Mary, aged 93, was one of the most internationally recognised Fashion Designers of the 20th Century and an outstanding innovator of the Swinging Sixties."
Follow our Dame Mary Quant blog for more news and updates…
- Shanine Bruder
When did Dame Mary Quant pass away?
On April 13, 2023, Dame Mary's family announced she had passed away at the age of 93.
A statement said she "died peacefully at home in Surrey, UK this morning".
It continued: "Dame Mary, aged 93, was one of the most internationally recognised Fashion Designers of the 20th Century and an outstanding innovator of the Swinging Sixties."
- Louis Allwood
Mary Quant sent shockwaves through the nation with her clothing
Designer Mary Quant’s bright, skimpy clothing sent shockwaves through the nation and her slick Vidal Sassoon crop was the “It” haircut — copied by millions to this day.
Famous for her miniskirts, hot pants and boldly coloured tights, Mary’s design motto was: “Be yourself, free yourself.”
And she raised eyebrows at every turn — even talking openly about dyeing her pubic hair green and trimming it into a heart shape at a still prudish time in the UK.
- Louis Allwood
What did Mary Quant say after she was made a dame?
In 2014, she was made a dame for services to British fashion in the Queen's New Year list.
She said at the time: "I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded this terrific honour. It is extremely gratifying that my work in the fashion industry has been recognised and acknowledged in such a significant way."
- Louis Allwood
Was there a documentary about Dame Mary Quant?
In 2021, actress and film producer Sadie Frost created a fashion documentary about Dame Mary called Quant.
Contributions to the biographical film came from prominent figures in the world of fashion, such as supermodel Kate Moss, designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, beauty entrepreneur and make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, designer Jasper Conran and designer Dame Zandra Rhodes.
- Louis Allwood
Mary Quant leaves behind an 'amazing legacy'
Fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to Dame Mary Quant following the devastating news.
One tweeted: "Sad news that Mary Quant has died. What an amazing legacy she left."
A second added: "I had Mary Quant makeup. Loved her style."
- Henry Moore
What was Dame Mary Quant famous for?
Designer Mary’s bright, skimpy clothing sent shockwaves through the nation in the 60s.
Her slick Vidal Sassoon hair do was the “It” haircut of the day and was copied by millions.
But Mary was most known for her miniskirts, hot pants and boldly coloured tights, with her design motto being: “Be yourself, free yourself.”
- Henry Moore
Why was Mary Quant a Dame?
Mary was given the honour of becoming a Dame by the late Queen in 2015.
She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours that year for services to British fashion.
After this, she was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to fashion.
- Henry Moore
Who was Dame Mary Quant?
Born in London on February 11, 1930 Dame Mary Quant was a designer and fashion icon.
The daughter of Welsh teachers Jack and Mildred Quant, a young Mary studied illustration at Goldsmiths College, then became an apprentice milliner in Mayfair.
She switched to fashion design and in 1955 she opened her first shop, Bazaar, on London’s Kings Road.
Rebelling against dreary Fifties styles, she sold “clothes that had nothing to do with our mothers.”
- Henry Moore
Why is Dame Mary Quant so iconic?
Dame Mary Quant is one of the icons of 1960s fashion.
Mary is most famous for having brought the mini-skirt to the masses.
Her bright, skimpy clothing sent shockwaves through the nation and her slick Vidal Sassoon crop was the “It” haircut — copied by millions to this day.
- Henry Moore
British Vogue editor pays tribute to fashion icon
Alexandra Shulman, former editor in chief of British Vogue, today said: "She was one of the truly influential figures in fashion and defined the way women thought about themselves.
"Her influence on both fashion and women's liberation cannot be underestimated. Her sleek, simple designs were a million miles from the kinds of shapes and costumes women were wearing in the 1950s.
"As well as short skirts, she had low-heeled pumps rather than high heels and her clothes entice you to behave in a different way after the formality of the past.
"Her clothes reflect the way the social changes of the 1960s, with young women taking the pill and working more.
"She was also one of the first designers who realised she was able to roll out a make-up brand."
- Henry Moore
Mary Quant helped pioneer the swinging sixties
Fans have rushed to social media to pay tribute to the late Dame Mary Quant, with one person highlighting the key role she played in the iconic swinging sixties era.
They wrote: "Swinging London stood on the shoulders of the giant that was Mary Quant.
"She wrote history. Never to be forgotten."
- Henry Moore
The V&A pays tribute
The Victoria and Albert Museum has paid tribute to the late Dame Mary Quant.
Taking to Twitter, the London-based museum shared a slideshow of her most iconic designs.
The tweet read: "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."
- Henry Moore
Mary's family confirm icon's passing
This morning, Dame Mary Quant's family confirmed the fashion icon's passing.
A statement from her family said she “died peacefully at home in Surrey, UK this morning”.
It continued: “Dame Mary, aged 93, was one of the most internationally recognised Fashion Designers of the 20th Century and an outstanding innovator of the Swinging Sixties.”
- Henry Moore
Mary Quant shut down a sexist interviewer
In a grainy clip from the early Sixties, Mary is quizzed by a male interviewer.
He says: “Mary, isn’t a miniskirt rather obvious — simply blaringly enticing? After all, it seems that few girls really have the legs, hips and above all the panache to carry it off majestically.”
She retorts: “But who wants to be majestic?”
- Henry Moore
What have people said about Dame Mary Quant?
Mary Quant has been hailed for decades as the inventor of the iconic 1960s look.
Prior to her death, voices in the fashion industry hailed her for "liberating women."
Hailing Mary “one of the most important British designers ever”, Jasper, 61, says she liberated women.
He says: “Mary’s vision was to bring clothes to young working girls, the first girls to have jobs and a career in Britain.”
Sixties model Twiggy, now 72, says: “Her clothes were very short and very subtle. The shoes were flat so you could run and dance in them.
“In fact all the clothes were very simple, but put together they created a very strong look that said somehow, ‘Look at me, isn’t life marvellous?’ ”
Make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, 48, says: “She was an innovator, a rule- breaker, she empowers women.
“This amazing woman with a sense of freedom and disruption really created a global look.”
- Henry Moore
Pictured: Dame Mary Quant
- Henry Moore
Mary Quant pioneered 1960s fashion
Dame Mary Quant pioneered some of the most iconic parts of 1960s British fashion.
From the mini-skirt to tights, Quant, while perhaps not inventing them, certainly shot the styles into the mainstream.
Even her haircut, the iconic slick Vidal Sassoon crop, became synonymous with the 1960s after she adopted it.
- Henry Moore
Tributes pour in for British fashion legend
Fans have rushed to social media to pay tribute to Dame Mary Quant.
One Twitter user wrote: "I so remember her fashion and loved buying her make-up in the 60s. Condolences to her family."
While a second added: "RIP to an icon."
And a third said: " What an icon, RIP."
- Henry Moore
Why is Dame Mary Quant so iconic?
Dame Mary Quant is one of the icons of 1960s fashion.
Mary is most famous for having brought the mini-skirt to the masses.
Her bright, skimpy clothing sent shockwaves through the nation and her slick Vidal Sassoon crop was the “It” haircut — copied by millions to this day.
- Henry Moore
How did Dame Mary's fashion career begin?
The daughter of Welsh teachers Jack and Mildred Quant, London- born Mary studied illustration at Goldsmiths College, London, then became an apprentice milliner in Mayfair.
She switched to fashion design and in 1955 she opened her first shop, Bazaar, on London’s Kings Road.
Rebelling against dreary Fifties styles, she sold “clothes that had nothing to do with our mothers”.
- Henry Moore
Dame Mary Quant dies aged 93
Iconic fashion designer Dame Mary Quant has died aged 93.
A statement from her family said she "died peacefully at home in Surrey, UK this morning".
It continued: "Dame Mary, aged 93, was one of the most internationally recognised Fashion Designers of the 20th Century and an outstanding innovator of the Swinging Sixties."
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