Mary Quant made a Dame in Queen’s New Year Honours list

Fashion designer and Goldsmiths, University of London alumna Mary Quant has been made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

The designer is an icon of the youth fashion movement of the 1960s and is widely credited with popularising the mini skirt.

Born in Blackheath, London, she came to Goldsmiths in 1950 at the age of 16, embarking on an art diploma course with a view to becoming an art teacher.

In 1955 Mary opened her store, Bazaar, on the King's Road, Chelsea and in 1966 was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her outstanding contribution to the fashion industry.

When Mary arrived at Goldsmiths, the university had only just reopened after the war. Speaking to Goldsmiths’ alumni magazine in 2012, she recalled: “The men were only about 20 but they had been through so much and they somehow seemed terribly older. Goldsmiths then seemed like a very civilised club. You grabbed a table for yourself and put your things there and just got on with your work really – no nonsense with lectures and stuff!” 

“There were terrific parties. Socialising amongst the other art schools was very intense, but there wasn’t too much rivalry because everybody wanted to do their own thing and be utterly original.

“Goldsmiths was, and still is, the most provocative and exciting art school of the lot. It does attract some very interesting people and it produces so many of the new ideas in all sorts of areas. That is the joy of Goldsmiths.” 

Commenting on the New Year Honours, Dame Mary Quant said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded this terrific honour. It is extremely gratifying that my work in the fashion industry has been recognised and acknowledged in such a significant way."