Sir, – I am not finding it easy to pinpoint the words to describe my reaction to the, in places, unpleasant, ungenerous and slightly salacious obituary of Mary Quant (Saturday, April 29th).
This was, as far as I know, the first revolution to happen in the world of fashion for young women.
I was a student at the time and the miniskirt was brilliant. The long hair of someone like Jean Shrimpton freed us from perms and curlers. Shoes had low heels and rounded toes, which perfectly suited the look, and were comfy and practical, as were tights and knee boots. Of course we were sexual young things. Young people are and we would have been even if new styles in clothes and hair had not happened.
The notion that we somehow aimed at a prepubescent look doesn’t wash with me, nor do I look back with any unease at the fashions we espoused in the 1960s. They were young, fresh and beautiful.
Jean Shrimpton, Mary Quant and others who were in the vanguard of this look have my gratitude. –
Yours, etc,
NORMA JESSOP,
Dublin 14.