Published at the end of April, Conran/Quant: Swinging London – A Lifestyle Revolution by Geoffrey Rayner and Richard Chamberlain pays homage to ‘the Chelsea Set’, a bohemian, progressive clique that would change the course of sixties contemporary design, with a focus on Mary Quant and Terence Conran.
“It is given to a fortunate few to be born at the right time, in the right place, with the right talents. In recent fashion there have been three: Chanel, Dior and Mary Quant.” – Ernestine Carter.
The book narrates the history of an era through a meld of biography, fashion photography and vintage ads, transporting you back to London at the height of the Swinging Sixties and providing vital context for two of the biggest and boldest names in ‘Pop’ fashion: Mary Quant, alleged mother of the miniskirt, and Terence Conran, the entrepreneur behind the new wave of ‘lifestyle’ stores.
Friends, associates and allies in design, Quant and Conran stood at the head of an informal but influential bohemian group who steered the rudder of style during the Pop era. ‘The Chelsea Set’ resists definition; there was no comprehensive members list. Conran/Quant: Swinging London – A Lifestyle Revolution explores the contributions of designers and artists from Laura and Bernard Ashley to Eduardo Paolozzi, Nigen Henderson and Alexander Plunket Greene, all of whom were essential generators of Sixties Style.
The book accompanies the Swinging London exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London, on until 2nd June 2019, www.ftmlondon.org.
Hardback, Size: 270 mm x 215 mm, Pages: 240, Illustrations: 180 colour, RRP £40.00.
Geoffrey Rayner and Richard Chamberlain run the Target Gallery in London which specialises in design and art post-1945. They now mainly work as freelance exhibition curators and write on various aspects of Twentieth Century design and culture.
ACC Art Books is a major name in luxury publishing featuring titles in the areas of art, architecture, music, pop culture, and style.
See also:
Sotheby’s and Designer Jan Taminiau Collaborate on Fashion Pop-up
Sixtieth Anniversary of the Iconic Mini
