A woman is parting with her most treasured possession at the age of 61, a Mary Quant leotard bought to celebrate her 18th birthday – and it still fits her like a glove.
Super slim Deborah Robinson has never lost her size 8/10 teenage figure. She is 5ft 6 and at nine stone a perfect weight for her height. Consequently she’s always been able to slip into the quirky, rainbow-coloured leotard, which she bought 44 years ago in 1979.
Deborah, from Wanstead, London, said: “It’s called a balloon suit. It’s the one thing I have kept the longest in my life. It’s survived various house moves. I’ve always treasured it. But I haven’t worn it for years now. If anything happened to me my son would probably throw it in the bin.
“I have never seen another one like it and I’ve spent ages Googling trying to find something similar. Perhaps it’s the one and only ever made.”
The leotard, which Deborah paid £20 for in 1979, equivalent to £99 today, is set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in May with a guide price of £100-£200.
Deborah, who works full-time at a health club at Woodford Bridge, near Chigwell, said: “I bought it one lunchtime in a shop in Bond Street, London. I was working just round the corner in Wigmore Street at a posh pharmacy called John Bell & Croyden. They were Queen Elizabeth II’s chemist.
“I can remember buying it as if it was yesterday. It was early December 1979. I wanted something to wear for my 18th birthday on New Year’s Eve. I saw it and just liked it. I thought ‘I’ll wear it as if it’s a dress’, and I did. It’s been shown off at every opportunity ever since.
“I wore it on my 18th birthday at a party my parents’ house in Chingford. It went down well. All my friends have always loved it because it’s so unusual. The material is good quality. It fits as well as it did the day I bought it.
“I’m really pleased I can still get into it. I have a 26 inch waist. I’ve never put on weight but I do lots of exercise including swimming and yoga. I don’t eat cake, pastries or meat either. I still work full time and live life at 100 miles an hour. I’m always on the go.
“I started work at the age of 11 helping my sister at a hair salon on Saturdays and during the school holidays. You did back then. Everyone had a Saturday job. I’ve been working ever since, through pregnancy and being a mum.
“I’ve been thinking of selling it for a while because it’s part of Mary Quant’s fashion design history. When she passed away it jolted me to do something about it. I hope someone will enjoy owning the leotard as much as I have. It deserves to go to a few more parties or, perhaps, be part of a Mary Quant fashion exhibition.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “This sale is set to make a wonderful memory and celebrate the life of Mary Quant. She was an iconic British designer and household name. Most people link her to the Swinging 60s, the miniskirt and hotpants. Now it’s time to remember her 1970s leotard or balloon suit.
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“Deborah’s decision to sell something that played such an important part in her teenage years, and the rest of her life, is rather special. I hope we can find the perfect buyer.”
London-born fashion icon Dame Barbara Mary Quant passed away at the age of 93 on April 13. She was dubbed a ‘fashion revolutionary’ by New York’s Women’s Wear Daily. She opened a boutique in London’s Kings Road named Bazaar, inspired the 1960s Mod fashion movement and was among designers credited for the miniskirt and hotpants.
Her ideas swept away the utilitarian wartime standard of the late 1940s and fuelled cultural shifts in the 1950s and 60s. As well as unique designs, her boutique created a special environment for young people offering music, drinks, long opening hours and quirky shop window displays. At the time, this was a million miles away from stuffy department stores and high-brow fashion outlets.
The Mary Quant leotard will be sold in Hansons Auctioneers’ May 18-23 Antiques and Collectors Auction. To find out more, email [email protected].
Catalogue due live May 12. Catalogues/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk or www.the-saleroom.com
