The automotive world is constantly surprising us. This is actually one of the reasons why we like what we do here at Razão Automóvel.
Inevitably women are linked to motor sport, we have already said it here, here and here. Whether it's livening up a paddock, adding glamor to a pit lane, or highlighting the most beautiful machines in a motor show.
Guilherme, our editorial director, for example states that: “ Women are needed everywhere. Be it ahead of a nation's destinies or under an umbrella on a starting grid “ . It's a fact! We all agree, right?
But we can also consider that there are no women and motor sport without another work created in the 60s by a lady called Mary Quant… the mini-skirt! Do you agree?
However, while looking for some images for this article, I realized the reason why Guilherme is an unconditional Moto GP fan, but ahead…
From Mini Cooper to Mini Skirt
Mary Quant, a British stylist was responsible for creating the mini skirt in the 1960s. The tiny piece of cloth that changed the women's wardrobe, attracting men's eyes to this day.
Subscribe to our newsletter
But then what is the connection with the small car of the British brand? I already gave you a tip… little…
Well, the stylist was inspired by her first car, a black Mini Cooper with black leather upholstery, to design her first mini-skirt. The “work” was considered one of the most important or significant inventions of the 60s. I don't know the others, but I believe so!
Bearing in mind that the British brand's popular model appeared in 1959, and that the creation of the mini skirt dates back to 1960, it all makes sense. Furthermore, knowing that it was an automobile that inspired another work as interesting and appreciated as the mini-skirt is surprising and motivating for those of us who write about automobiles.
In an interview that you can see in the video below, the stylist said that the Mini was her first car and that it was perfect, adding that she has everything to do with the mini-skirt. Translating her statement literally in a documentary: "Everyone wanted him, he was exuberant, optimistic, formidable and young."
mary how muchThe Mini car went exactly with the miniskirt: it did everything one wanted, it looked great, it was optimistic, exuberant, young, flirty, it was exactly right
The link between the stylist and the small British car was such that there was even a special and limited edition of the Mini Cooper called the Mary Quant Limited Edition.
Outwardly the Mini Cooper Mary Quant LE could be white or black with the designation "Designer"
Sir Alec Issigonis, the creator of the Mini, was far from imagining that his invention would give rise to such a “bewildering” creation, the mini-skirt.
Here at Razão Automóvel, we are grateful for both the good moments of inspiration. While automobiles also serve as inspiration for works like the mini-skirt, we keep living on it.