The exhibition, which focuses on the years between 1955 and 1975, became the V&A’s third most popular fashion-focused show ever on a run which ended in February. When it opens in Dundee, the content will feature stories of women who made outfits from Mary Quant’s dressmaking patterns – gathered via the museum’s #SewQuant campaign.

Mary Quant exhibition sees fashion flourish at V&A yet again

To further put its own stamp on the event, V&A Dundee has recreated an iconic 1966 photoshoot of Mary Quant with the help of local students.

The new images were shot on location inside and outside the museum prior to lockdown closure, with the outfits made using textiles designed by third year students from the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Lucy Carrie, Emer Dobson, Sandra Junele, Humaira Khan and Jane Neave all created materials inspired by Quant’s work, but that also responded to pressing issues facing the modern fashion industry – climate change, consumerism and racism. All five garments will be on display throughout the exhibition’s opening week.

“Mary Quant started out as a young art student, going on to become one of Britain’s best-known designers with a unique vision to use fashion as a way to communicate new attitudes and ideas. All of us at V&A Dundee have enjoyed taking a fresh look at Mary Quant’s legacy through the lens of these five young designers as they embark on their own design careers,” says Sophie McKinlay, director of programme at V&A Dundee.

The Mary Quant exhibition at V&A Dundee opens Thursday 27th August and runs until 17th January 2021.

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