‘60s fashion pioneer Dame Mary Quant has died aged 93. Now, fashion lovers and industry experts have taken to social media to share their tributes.
Quant was most renowned for pioneering the miniskirt throughout the 1960s and as the poster girl for London’s Youthquake.
As per a statement made by her family, the fashion icon “died peacefully at her home in Surrey” earlier this morning (April 13). They also paid tribute to the legacy of her work, describing her as “one of the most internationally recognised fashion designers of the 20th century and an outstanding innovator of the Swinging Sixties,” (via The Guardian).
While she is often miscredited as the inventor of the miniskirt, Quant did bring the garment to the forefront of women’s fashion, and is credited with making fashion more accessible to working women throughout the decade.
This came as her clothes – which were recognisable for being colourful and comfortable – combined trends from subcultures, including mods and school uniforms. She was also recognised for her iconic Vidal Sassoon haircut and received an OBE in 1966.
Now, fashion lovers have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late ‘60s icon.
“It’s impossible to overstate Quant’s contribution to fashion,” read a tweet by the Victoria & Albert Museum. “She represented the joyful freedom of 1960s fashion, and provided a new role model for young women. Fashion today owes so much to her trailblazing vision.”
Legendary ’60s model and former wife of The Beatles’ George Harrison, Pattie Boyd, also took to Twitter, writing: “Very sad news today to learn of the passing of the 60s daringly creative, fun genius, much-loved lady, Dame Mary Quant. Mary insisted on making George’s and my wedding coats in 1966; his, Black Mongolian Fur and mine, Red Fox.
A true icon. RIP.”
Check out more tributes below.
Dame Mary Quant (1930-2023)
It’s impossible to overstate Quant’s contribution to fashion. She represented the joyful freedom of 1960s fashion, and provided a new role model for young women.
Fashion today owes so much to her trailblazing vision. pic.twitter.com/4z3MXp0tZl
— V&A (@V_and_A) April 13, 2023
Very sad news today to learn of the passing of the 60s daringly creative, fun genius, much-loved lady, Dame Mary Quant.
Mary insisted on making George's and my wedding coats in 1966; his, Black Mongolian Fur and mine, Red Fox.
A true icon. RIP pic.twitter.com/qQeNjyFz2T— Pattie Boyd (@thepattieboyd) April 13, 2023
so saddened to hear iconic designer & absolutely lovely person #MaryQuant has gone on her awfully big adventure
. i only ever did one fashion shoot for her clothes . pic.twitter.com/bjGTaa9sYB
— KatyManning Official welcomes you (@ManningOfficial) April 13, 2023
One of the most iconic fashion designers from that incredible decade – the 1960’s – passed away today aged 93. #RIP MARY QUANT pic.twitter.com/eRXUrjPvN7
— Michael Warburton (@MichaelWarbur17) April 13, 2023
RIP Mary Quant, who freed the female leg. We owe you.
— Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) April 13, 2023
Loved the V&A exhibit on her a few years back… she was a revolutionary talent!
— Christina Cacouris (@christinam4ria) April 13, 2023
Dame Mary Quant is most widely associated with the 1960s revolutionary miniskirt.
“It was the girls on the King’s Road who invented the miniskirt. I was making easy, youthful clothes in which you could move.” pic.twitter.com/1X1GR7qaLQ
— Molly Elizabeth (@molllyelizabeth) April 13, 2023
RIP Dame Mary Quant. A leader of fashion but also in female entrepreneurship- a visionary who was much more than a great haircut
— Alexandra Shulman (@AShulman2) April 13, 2023
A truly seismic figure who changed the face of fashion & make-up. For those of us old enough to have been young in the #SwingingSixties she was a breath of fresh air, an icon of change and youth. Thank you Mary for changing lives for good. #RIPMaryQuant #MaryQuant pic.twitter.com/5XqF6E7KVt
— Christine Hamilton (@brit_battleaxe) April 13, 2023
RIP Mary Quant
She was a fashion designer but I remember my mum having bottle of Mary Quant nail varnish as a child – or Cutex as many Caribbean elders call it.https://t.co/uvrRYOGCAz— Lorraine King (@lorrainemking) April 13, 2023
In February, Rihanna used her performance at the Super Bowl halftime show to pay a subtle tribute to another fashion icon, André Leon Talley — the late editor-at-large of Vogue.
Taking place at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 12, the singer sported a bright red sleeping bag coat by Alaïa for the final two tracks (2007’s ‘Umbrella’ and 2012’s ‘Diamonds’).
This choice of outerwear was a homage to Talley, whose favourite Norma Kamali coat was in the same style and colour.
The post Tributes paid after death of ’60s fashion pioneer Dame Mary Quant appeared first on NME.
