So devastating to hear the news about the passing of the one and only, Mary Quant. A woman who quite literally changed fashion as we know it! Many know her as being the one to make the mini skirt popular, but there is so much for about her legacy that we don't know! She was a true pioneer of the 'Swinging Sixties' movement that revolutionized woman's fashion and at the forefront of fashion being more liberating and "free." Her fashion was geared more towards the youth culture where she really encouraged the younger generations to wear what made them happy and not conform to social norms.

As a designer, I've always been inspired by not only her fashion, but Mary's ability to step out of the norm and make a real name for herself. Her designs and use for color have directly inspired my first collection, Mod on the Moon, a mix of mod and space age style from the 1960's. And it was only recently that I discovered her and I share the same birthday, February 11th, which only makes more sense how her and I have a special connection! Two Aquarius sisters at heart!

Mary Quant started her journey when her husband and business partner opened their own store in 1955, called Bazaar on Kings Road in London. Talk about an iconic places to open up a shop! At that time Kings Road was a legendary location for artists and revolutionists, and remained one for decades after. Mary focused on the designs and Alexander focused on the business side of things. She received her first big moment of success when a pair of her "mad" pajamas was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaare.

Unlike a lot of designers, Mary was a self taught designer; another reason I connect with her so much! She attended night classes and learned how to adjust market patterns for her liking. She worked with a hand to mouth style of production, where the money she was making from the shop was giving way to new fabric being made overnight, allowing for smaller runs of new designs all the time. This allowed for customers to continue to be get the newest and freshest designs.

Bazaar was really one of the first in its area to give a new shopping experience unlike others at the time. It wasn't mainstream and unlike the other high-fashion stores, Bazaar gave way to loud music, drinks, conversation that really drew the youth from all over to visit and shop.

Mary really drew her inspiration from so many different areas in life. Greatly influenced by the Mod culture of the time and other artists like musicians and the Beatnik community. And while there is no concrete evidence that she is in fact the one to bring way to the mini skirt; she certainly wanted the hemline to be shorter and be less restricting to woman in their everyday life. The miniskirt however certainly became her very recognizable trend. Customers would come in and say, "shorter, shorter!" She made high fashion versions of the clothes she wore as a child, to school or dance class. She wanted clothes that were relaxed and suited for normal life.

To me, she was a true believer in woman and the power that fashion gave to change society. In her 1966 autobiography, Quant emphasized that women’s clothes should be "a tool to compete in life outside the home." She made ground breaking designs and really pushed the boundaries in the 60's. In fact in 1963 Mary Quant became the first winner of the Dress of the Year award.

Quant even added a makeup line to her name in 1966. And published multiple books about fashion and makeup. Her success continued to grow throughout the 60's and well into the 70's. And still today her name and her designs are widely known and appreciated by so many. And though it is so heartbreaking to loose someone with such vision, talents and influence; her legacy will live on for a lifetime.