Kerry Taylor auction house in London will feature items from the personal wardrobe of British designer Mary Quant, known for her role in revolutionizing women’s fashion in the ‘Swinging Sixties’.
On March 25, 2024, the auction house Kerry Taylor in London will conduct a significant auction featuring items from the personal wardrobe of Mary Quant, a prominent British fashion innovator known for her influential role in the 1960s fashion revolution. Quant, who passed away in 2023, is celebrated for her contributions that fundamentally changed the landscape of women’s clothing, particularly with the introduction of the miniskirt, which became an iconic symbol of the ‘Swinging Sixties.’
Mary Quant’s career is marked by her defiance of fashion norms, with shearing hemlines that revolutionized how women dressed. Historically, fashion dictated by influential couturiers typically kept skirts below the knee. However, in the post-war era, young people began seeking styles that resonated with their desire for individuality, distancing themselves from their parents’ aesthetic. Recognizing this shift, Quant introduced groundbreaking designs using unconventional materials like plastics and stretchy jersey, which made her work distinctive. In addition, she played a pivotal role in the introduction of vibrant tights, a solution to the previously visible garters that miniskirts presented.
The auction will feature an array of Quant’s clothing, with items expected to fetch prices between £200 and £800. Among the highlighted pieces is a striking orange-red-blue velvet mini ‘skater’ ensemble from around 1970, as well as a black jersey dress that is notable for featuring on a British postage stamp, albeit with identification of some wear, such as moth holes. Quant’s personal garments have drawn notable interest because they reflect not only her unique style but also the spirit of an era that redefined fashion norms.
Auctioneer Alex Baddeley remarked on the significance of these pieces by stating, “We want to give everyone the chance to buy these important fashion pieces.” He anticipates considerable international interest, particularly from museums and collectors, indicating that the starting bids may dramatically increase beyond their estimates due to demand.
Among the keen observers of the auction is Madelief Hohé, a fashion curator from the Kunstmuseum in The Hague, who believes that certain pieces could enhance the museum’s historical collection. Speaking on the impact of Quant’s designs, Hohé said to Trouw, “To them, the mini has always existed, and they see nothing special about it. But back then, Quant and her contemporaries truly brought something astonishing to the forefront.”
Hohé also pointed out the scarcity of garments by Quant in Dutch museum collections, attributing this to the fashion choices of the era’s youthful, “wild” women who often discarded the designs, either underappreciating their historical significance or due to wear over time.
The auction, which will include lot numbers 542-579, provides a unique opportunity for collectors and fashion enthusiasts to acquire pieces that celebrate a pivotal moment in fashion history.
Source: Noah Wire Services
