The idea of the “Swinging Sixties” in London and the rise of a youth culture in the decade are intricately linked to the arrival of the miniskirt, popularized by Mary Quant. While she did not invent the style, nor did ever claim to, her store on King’s Road helped popularize it and many other styles important to the time. The opening of her first store, Bazaar, in 1955 with her husband and a friend, was important to the thriving area in the borough, which officially became the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the 60s. King’s Road was a popular shopping area at the time, like other areas in the borough further north that sold vintage clothing. Quant herself was an important figure in Chelsea, and her designs became known as the “Chelsea look.”
An important aspect of her designs and success was the culture of the youth in the area. The miniskirt was inspired by London street style, led by young people, and a cultural shift in the post-war period. The 1960s were a time of liberation for a new generation after the Second World War. Mary Quant’s clothing provided young girls with a contemporary style to differentiate themselves from their mothers. While these designs and developments occurred in the 1960s, the opening of her store on King’s Road, and reputation as the leader of the “Chelsea Set,” young artists and socialites that flocked to the area to explore new lifestyles, were critical in the years to follow. After she became frustrated with the clothing available, she began to design her own clothing for the store, which led to her famous designs.
Many styles and items are commonly attributed to Mary Quant: the miniskirt, hot pants, tight sweaters, and vinyl clothing are all included in the list. Her work was featured on the covers of magazines and is always guaranteed a mention when discussing the decade. The Victoria & Albert Museum has many pieces by Quant and had an exhibition on her work five years ago, but some of her designs are still on display today. She passed away in April of 2023.

Mary Quant's First Shop, Bazaar, on King's Road. 25 August 1966. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/shows-trends/a30873182/mary-quant-designer/. Accessed 17 April 2023.

Nicolson, Juliet. “Legendary Designer Mary Quant Dies.” Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/shows-trends/a30873182/mary-quant-designer/. Accessed 18 April 2023.
Rackham, Annabel. “Mary Quant: The Miniskirt and PVC Pioneer.” BBC News, BBC, 13 Apr. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65269428. Accessed 18 April 2023.
“V&A · Introducing Mary Quant.” Victoria and Albert Museum, https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/introducing-mary-quant. Accessed 18 April 2023.
“V&A · The Miniskirt Myth.” Victoria and Albert Museum, https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-miniskirt-myth. Accessed 18 April 2023.