Mary Quant: fashion icon

Mary Quant was a British designer and a leader in the fashion industry. She was probably best-known for introducing the mini skirt. After her death in April this year, aged 93, a Quant exhibition's opened in Glasgow, Scotland.

Heather Tilbury Phillips was once the co-director of Maryt Quant Ltd.

Heather Tilbury Phillips: "I think this exhibition is the most wonderful tribute to Mary's farsightedness, her enthusiasm, her creativity and her wish that people achieve their, their essence in life."

When people think of the 1960s, they think of Quant's designs. For many societies, the sixties were a new beginning, after the long, dark period of the second world war. The idea of the 'teenager' formed and young people no longer felt the need to wear the same styles as their parents. They welcomed Quant's modern, fresh designs.

Heather Tilbury Phillips: "I think she introduced such a revolutionary attitude to clothes, that garments that the young could run, jump, leap onto a bus, go dancing."

As well as the length of her skirts, the shapes and colours of Quant's clothing were original. However, according to Rebecca Quinton, who's from Glasgow Museums, she also sewed with modern fabrics, like nylon.

Rebecca Quinton: But there's also modern materials. We're used to them now. But this is at the beginning of nylon, lycra, PVC coming in, and she made use of all these new technologies and materials to do new things - stretch fabrics, waterproof fabrics."

After an international tour, the exhibition of Quant's work reaches its destination in Glasgow. It will stay open to the public until 22nd October 2023. Quinton believes the event will encourage future designers.

Rebecca Quinton: "So it's a wonderful opportunity for everybody to either come and reminisce or be inspired to be the next generation of designers, whether they're interested in fashion or product design, to come and see one of the most revolutionary fashion designers of the 20th century."

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