Lecture to explore fashion icon’s legacy

THE Bendigo Art Gallery’s deep dive into the life of British fashion designer Mary Quant continues in July with a lecture that discusses her enduring contribution to the industry, to be delivered by curator and cultural historian Kenneth Park.

Mr Park said the lecture will look at the “extraordinarily creative life” of “the most iconic fashion designer of the 1960s” and will include his own personal insights as well as investigate her influence on design and fashion, both then and now.

“Mary Quant not only set the trends but she lived the trends,” he said.

“She was full of ideas and more than happy to express an opinion. Clearly she was also critically commercially savvy.

“She was bold and forward thinking, and justifiably considered one of the great design and retail pioneers. She always had her eye on the future.”

According to Mr Park, the Bendigo Art Gallery has established an “enviable reputation for the staging of international shows” and part of this success was due to the quality of associated public and educational programs that accompany its exhibitions.

“When I travel to Bendigo, I take the train, and when I do it is always filled with eager exhibition viewers. There is a real buzz,” he said.

“Over the years exhibitions like Mary Quant have contributed significantly to the local economy and culture, and critically inspired future development at the Gallery and right across the city.”

“Catalogues, talks and the like offer visitors of all ages an opportunity to delve deeper into the exhibition.

“My lecture complements the show by exploring themes and ideas raised in it, as well as learning more about the creative genius of Mary Quant.”

The Mary Quant and her legacy lecture is set for Thursday, 1 July, between 11am and 11.30am.

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