The V&A’s Next Exhibition Is About Mary Quant
As the much-anticipated Frida Kahlo exhibition draws ever closer, the V&A Museum have announced their next major fashion showcase, and it's a good'un.
With previous shows displaying everything from the costumes of David Bowie and Alexander McQueen's legendary fashion meets art pieces, to famous wedding dresses throughout the ages and examining the role shoes have played in providing pleasure and pain all over the world, the V&A is infamous for its commitment to fashion history.
And their next major fashion exhibition isn't set to disappoint either. Simply titled, Mary Quant, the museum's latest blockbuster fashion spectacle will be an ode to the legendary 1960s designer.
The first international retrospective of the revolutionary designer in nearly 50 years, Mary Quant will be a celebration of the swinging sixties designer often credited with instigating the 'youthquake' movement and more notably, popularising the decade-defining mini skirt.
In addition to having unprecedented access to Mary Quant's archive including over 200 acquired pieces, the V&A are also aiming to display original designs bought by women in the 1960s. And they've taken to social media to get the word out there. Curator Jenny Lister issued a nationwide callout using the hashtag #WeWantQuant and releasing the following statement:
'We want to hear from women who wore Mary’s radical designs and experienced the appeal of the Mary Quant brand at first-hand. To help us tell these incredible stories, we are asking people to check attics, cupboards, as well as family photo albums, for the chance to feature in our exhibition.'
So, if you're lucky enough to own an original mod mini skirt or an iconic Quant PVC raincoat, this is your chance to be part of fashion history.
Speaking on the retrospective of her work, Quant said, 'The V&A is such a precious and iconic organisation for which I have the utmost admiration and respect, and it is a huge honour to be recognised by them with this dedicated exhibition and book.
'It was a wonderfully exciting time and despite the frenetic, hard work we had enormous fun. We didn’t necessarily realise that what we were creating was pioneering, we were simply too busy relishing all the opportunities and embracing the results before rushing on to the next challenge!
'Friends have been extremely generous in loaning, and in many cases, donating garments and accessories to the V&A which they have lovingly cherished for many years, so it will be fascinating to see what else will emerge! I am enormously grateful to have been involved with so many talented people whose contribution to that ground-breaking, revolutionary and memorable era will also be recognised.'
Alas, the exhibition won't open until April 2019, but in the mean time you'll find us wearing go-go boots and vinyl trench coats Quant-style.
Mary Quant runs at the Victoria & Albert Museum from 6th April 2019 – 8th March 2020. Tickets will go on sale in Autumn 2018
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