Celebrating the queen of sixties fashion

“Fashion is not frivolous; it is part of being alive today,” – Mary Quant.

STAFF at the Bendigo Art Gallery were finalising the Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary showcase last Friday, staging her iconic Wet Collection of raincoats in anticipation of the exhibit’s opening.

Set to open officially 20 March, Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot said she was delighted to present the exhibition in Bendigo.

“Mary Quant is an icon whose fashion business emerged as a response to gloomy Post War Britain and it comes to us at a time when we could all also use a lift,” she said.

“As a designer, she transformed the way young women dressed, moving away from the dominant and often restricting silhouettes prescribed by Parisian couturiers, to comfortable, affordable, and sassy designs.”

Arriving direct from a sell-out season at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the collection showcases Quant’s designs between 1955 and 1975, harnessing the colour and youthfulness of the 60s.

The exhibition is also set to explore some of Quant’s most memorable achievements including collaborations with designers, her hosiery and cosmetics lines and even her own dolls, Daisy Dolls.

“The Butterick sewing patterns, Quant cosmetic line and the Ginger Group collection were hugely popular here in Australia and many of a certain age will also remember Dolly magazine’s long running Mary Quant Cover girl contest,” Ms Bridgfoot said.

“This is a vibrant, energizing exhibition and was the most popular exhibition ever to be staged in the V&A’s Fashion Gallery.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring it to Bendigo and continue our successful ongoing relationship with this revered international museum.”

Bringing together over 110 garments along with accessories, cosmetics, sketches and images, Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary will be open for visitors at the Bendigo Gallery from 20 March to 11 July with tickets available on site and at bendigoregion.com.au/bendigo-art-gallery.