An upcoming auction will feature 35 lots from the late designer’s personal collection, showcasing her iconic styles and influential pieces from renowned fashion houses.
Mary Quant, the influential fashion designer known for her groundbreaking contributions to women’s fashion in the 1950s and 1960s, is the focus of an upcoming auction featuring a selection of her personal wardrobe. The auction, set to take place on March 25, is organized by the London-based auction house Kerry Taylor Auctions and is part of a broader event titled “Vintage Fashion, Antique Costume & Textiles.”
The auction will offer 35 lots of clothing and accessories from Quant’s collection, highlighting both her own designs as well as pieces from prominent fashion houses such as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, and Vivienne Westwood. Kerry Taylor, the founder of the auction house, curated the items after visiting Quant’s country house in the U.K., where the designer lived during her final years before her death in 2023. During her visit, Taylor selected pieces that were in good condition and not damaged by moths.
“You could see that the clothes were constant in her life. She had two tiny, narrow dressing rooms that were absolutely rammed with things,” Taylor noted in an interview, emphasizing the significance of these garments in Quant’s life. The contents of the auction will include a variety of items reflecting Quant’s iconic style, such as a brown wool dress with a squiggle print from 1968, a grey herringbone sack dress from the late ’50s, and a black wool and patent leather minidress from 1966. Additionally, the auction will feature accessories from the 1970s, including tights, a swimsuit, and a clutch bag.
Beyond her own designs, Quant’s appreciation for French fashion is also represented in the auction. Among the pieces is a black velvet jacket by Azzedine Alaïa and a selection of hats from Chanel, including a straw hat and a cloche hat with a white bow designed by Karl Lagerfeld. The auction also includes a white artist’s shirt from Vivienne Westwood’s spring 1992 “Salon” collection.
Taylor expressed her desire to make the auction accessible to a wide audience, with estimates starting from 200 pounds and reaching up to 800 pounds for certain items. “Obviously not everything is always in the best condition, but as an auctioneer, it’s much more fun to give reasonable estimates and to make everything accessible,” she explained. Taylor aims to engage potential buyers effectively, preferring to allow the market to determine the final prices rather than setting high initial estimates that may deter interest.
Mary Quant’s legacy as a pioneer of the Swinging Sixties, characterized by her bold patterns and liberated styles, continues to resonate, promising that the upcoming auction will attract fashion enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Source: Noah Wire Services
