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04 October 2022
Our October talk took many members of the Threads’ group down memory lane when Ruth spoke about the early life of Mary Quant, an icon of the ‘60s fashion scene.
Mary was always interested in fashion and would like to have done a degree in this but her strict parents dissuaded her and, instead, she studied illustration and art education at Goldsmiths College, London, with the thought that she would then go into teaching.
It was during her first year at college that she was to meet Alexander Plunket Greene whom she married in 1957. He was to become a key figure in her future career. They had very different personalities, she being quiet and shy whilst he was very flamboyant.
Having initially served an apprenticeship at Erik, a high-end Mayfair milliner located next door to Claridge’s Hotel, she began to develop her own interest in fashion design and production, operating initially from her flat. With funding from Alexander and the photographer Archie McNair, she was able to open her boutique, “Bazaar”, on the Kings Road and things really took off as part of the “Swinging London” scene.
Her clothes appealed to a young audience. Drawing on her collection, Ruth reminded us of Mary’s mini-skirts, coloured and patterned tights, berets designed for Kangol, underwear, square toed shoes, cosmetics and her five-petal daisy logo.
Members had a most enjoyable afternoon which included much giggling and laughter!
MKG
Our October 2022 gallery
