Life, Love & Liberty
Harper's Bazaar India|May 2019

Sky-high hemlines, cropped tops, and the spirit of revolution in the air… In the heyday of Swinging London, there was no more thrilling or influential place to shop than Bazaar, Mary Quant’s King’s Road boutique. As the designer celebrates her 85th birthday, a new exhibition at the V&A glories in the legacy of her fearless feminist fashions.

Juliet Nicolson
Life, Love & Liberty

In an empty, darkened gallery in the depths of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, a succession of stylish women are taking turns to sit on a high stool, speaking to the camera. A journalist, a model, a beauty expert, and a customer, all from the epicenter of fashion’s 1960s revolution, are recording short films for the V&A’s sensational retrospective devoted to the designer Mary Quant. The quartet is united by their memories of the red-headed icon who popularised women’s trousers and tights, invented the skinny-rib sweater and the sack dress, and raised hemlines to audacious heights.

Listening to these fizzing, funny and often moving reminiscences feels like traveling in a Google Earth time machine, zooming in on the decade when Bazaar, Quant’s small shop in the heart of the bohemian King’s Road, formed the nexus of London’s ‘Swinging Chelsea’. Here is the distinguished writer Brigid Keenan, an early champion of Quant’s designs. Here is Jill Kennington, one of the top models of her day, who, all legs and tousled hair, bounded onto a 1960s catwalk to a pop soundtrack in front of a cheering audience. Next up is Joy Debenham-Burton, once in charge of Quant’s pioneering cosmetics range, which came packaged in shiny PVC and imprinted with the designer’s trademark daisy logo, recalling a time when “The Beatles supplied the sound and Mary provided the look”. Finally here is Tereska Pepé, a committed early client who has donated two much-loved pieces to the exhibition, describing how she appeared in her favorite Quant outfits so often that they “fell apart on me even as I wore them”.

Bu hikaye Harper's Bazaar India dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Harper's Bazaar India dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

HARPER'S BAZAAR INDIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Unyielding And Unmatched
Harper's Bazaar India

Unyielding And Unmatched

In an industry where every move is scrutinised, Kareena Kapoor Khan lives passionately, loves her job, and understands that there’s more to her than just box-office numbers.

time-read
10+ dak  |
September 2024
SEEN AND HEARD
Harper's Bazaar India

SEEN AND HEARD

Female authors explore how crucial it is that women write about their personal experiences.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 2024
INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO
Harper's Bazaar India

INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO

What makes the feminist trailblazer an icon?

time-read
3 dak  |
September 2024
'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'
Harper's Bazaar India

'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'

AR Rahman believes AI can be used without compromising on the artistic essence.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 2024
THROUGH HER EYES
Harper's Bazaar India

THROUGH HER EYES

Indian supermodels remember legendary photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta ahead of his 68th birth anniversary.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 2024
THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS
Harper's Bazaar India

THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS

From adorning your body to your mantle piece, jewellery designers are turning to homeware.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 2024
WEARABLE ART
Harper's Bazaar India

WEARABLE ART

Three limited-edition timepieces, inspired by Gaston-Louis Vuitton's love for artistry, is an ode to the Maison's legacy of craftsmanship.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 2024
AS LONG AS TIME
Harper's Bazaar India

AS LONG AS TIME

Bazaar India delves into the ethos of watch brands.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 2024
MILANO MAKEOVER
Harper's Bazaar India

MILANO MAKEOVER

Sabato De Sarno's reimagination of this classic Gucci bag is is an ode to his Milanese becoming.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR
Harper's Bazaar India

A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR

Designer Surily Goel reveals the making of her latest collection.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 2024