1965 Mary Quant Documented Black Playsuit with Crochet Bodice

This rare documented playsuit was designed by icon of 'swinging sixties' fashion, Mary Quant. After founding her 'Bizarre' boutique on the Kings Road, London, in 1955, she began experimenting with hemlines in the early 60s. In 1963, Mary Quant launched her ready-to-wear range globally through her subsidiary company 'Ginger Group' which was hugely successful. By 1964, she had created the thigh-grazing mini, so named after her favourite car. The freedom and wearability of the design was in stark contrast to the nipped in waists, restrictive undergarments and full circle skirts of the previous decade. Whilst French couturier, Andre Courreges, is often cited as the designer who raised hemlines, it was undoubtedly Mary Quant who successfully commercialised the mini dress.

This playsuit, created in 1965, was photographed that year on model, Vicky Eliot, at London's Transport museum. The label reads 'Mary Quant's Ginger Group - Made in England'. Tailored from soft inky black linen, it is cinched at the waist with a coordinating belt which is detailed with a polished gold-tone, oval-shaped brass buckle. The stand-out detail of this piece is the peekaboo crochet woolen bodice that reveals flashes of skin. A hidden zip secures the rear. This piece is in excellent archival vintage condition with no flaws of any note and worthy of museum acquisition. The playsuit would best suit a size UK 6 or US 2. Our model is a UK 6-8 and 5ft 4in (163cm) and this was a good fit on her. 

MEASUREMENTS:

BUST: 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST: 26 in. (66 cm)

HIP: 35 in. (89 cm)

LENGTH: 35 in. (89 cm)