Fashion History: Mary Quant Offers Us Some Much-Needed Perspective

I firmly believe that adversity brings out one's true character. I hold this belief in part thanks to the influence of my maternal grandmother to whom I was very close. She came of age during WWII and like so many of her generation, she experienced more than her share of deprivation, adversity, instability and just plain fear. Her formative years were defined by the war or, as she called it, cette affreuse guerre (that wretched war). As a result, she was unflappable. Nothing seemed to phase her and more importantly, no obstacle seemed too great or insurmountable. I was reminded of her 'can do' attitude recently when I read an interview with iconic British designer Mary Quant.

Quant, along with a number of other British designers, is being honored by the Royal Mail with the issuance of a stamp featuring one of her most iconic designs, the thigh-grazing mini-dress. For the occasion, she was interviewed by Hilary Alexander of the Daily Telegraph. During the interview, she discusses her design career and the role economic and social adversity played in igniting the spark from which came one of London's most exciting design periods - the Swinging Sixties. Many of her thoughts are particularly relevant to the current economic downturn.

Regarding the creativity of 1960's Britain:

"Before, there were 10 years of gloom and despair, when London was a bombsite," she says. "Nothing moved, nothing happened. And then suddenly the next lot of young people said, 'Enough of this, we're going to do it,' and they did it themselves."

Regarding the current economic crisis:

"The energy comes when you need it. I think out of this recession we'll get enormous energy and a lot of new ideas. You create things when you're deprived of them – that's what I did. There will be all sorts of new and exciting things which will grow out of this time now."

I highly recommend you read the entire interview as well as view the brief video on the Daily Telegraph's website. At 75, Mary Quant is every bit the vibrant and cool designer she was in the 1960's. She's a great reminder of why London is still today one of the most creative places on earth, meltdown or no meltdown. I dare you not to be inspired by her too!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[WendyB]

I always appreciate a historical perspective.

[Make Do Style]

Well said - a new perspective is needed some more fun, more community spirit and less materialistic ways. It should be fun even when times are hard!