Mary Quant- An Unconventional Fashionista

Fashion today owes so much to her trailblazing vision.

- Renuka Krishnaraja

Remember the playful miniskirts, glossy boots, vibrant hot pants, colourful berets that became symbolic of the 'Swinging Sixties' culture? Actually speaking, even today, they are still in vogue. These apparels were some of the most iconic creations of Mary Quant, the British design and retail pioneer, who made her name in the world of fashion by her ingenuity.

With her bold and trendy version of practical outfits that transformed women's looks in the 1960s, Mary Quant was the trendsetter who defined the historic decade. She passed away on 13 April this year in London at the age of 93.

Quant's Early Life

Born and brought up in London, Quant was the daughter of schoolteachers. Although she had a flair for fashion from early on, she was discouraged by her parents to follow the unconventional path. It was only after her marriage with Alexander Plunket Greene that she could to pursue her real passion.

Young, ambitious, and with a keen eye for aesthetic, Quant was always on an exploration of new ways of living and dressing. In 1955, she opened a boutique called Bazaar in London's Chelsea Street. While her husband had entrepreneurial and marketing skills, she concentrated on her designs.