Alexander Plunket Greene was a fashion executive who, along with his wife Mary Quant, revolutionized the British fashion scene in the 1960s. He was instrumental in launching and promoting Quant’s designs, including the iconic miniskirt, which became a symbol of the Swinging Sixties. He also helped turn King’s Road into a fashion mecca for young Britons and expanded Quant’s brand to the mass market and abroad. However, his life was cut short in 1990, when he died at the age of 57. What was the cause of his death and how did it affect his wife and family?
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Excessive Drinking and Health Problems
According to HITC, Plunket Greene’s cause of death was linked to excessive drinking. He reportedly drank too much wine and did not heed his doctors’ advice to stop. He said that life was not worthwhile without wine and that he loved drinking. His wife, Mary Quant, said that his drinking had to do with his death and that it was unbearable. She also revealed that he was a “monstrous womaniser” who probably slept with her friends, but she turned a blind eye to his infidelity. She said that he was unfaithful but loyal at the same time.
Plunket Greene’s drinking may have been a way of coping with the stress and pressure of being in the fashion industry, as well as his personal issues. He may have also inherited a tendency to alcoholism from his grandfather, Harry Plunket Greene, who was a famous Irish classical singer and writer. Harry Plunket Greene died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1936, at the age of 66.
A Tragic Loss for Mary Quant and the Fashion World
Plunket Greene’s death was a huge blow for Mary Quant, who had been married to him for more than 37 years. They met in 1953, when they were both studying at Goldsmiths College of Art in London, and got married in 1957. They had two children together, Orlando and Sasha. Plunket Greene was not only Quant’s husband, but also her business partner and creative collaborator. He opened a boutique called Bazaar on King’s Road in Chelsea with a friend, and Quant initially worked as a buyer for the shop before she started selling her own designs there. He also founded the Ginger Group label in 1963, which made Quant’s designs more accessible and affordable for the masses. He helped market and distribute Quant’s products worldwide, including cosmetics, accessories, household goods, and even cars. He was also a writer and musician who composed songs and jingles for Quant’s advertisements.
Plunket Greene’s death also marked the end of an era for British fashion. He and Quant were among the pioneers of the youth-oriented, rebellious, and innovative style that defined the 1960s. They influenced generations of designers and consumers with their bold and playful creations. They were also part of a cultural movement that celebrated creativity, freedom, and individuality. As The Washington Post put it, they “helped revolutionize the British fashion scene for young people in the 1960s”.
A Legacy That Lives On
Although Plunket Greene is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through his wife’s work and their children’s achievements. Mary Quant continued to design and run her fashion empire after his death, until she retired in 2000. She also received numerous honors and awards for her contributions to fashion, including being made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative fashion designers of the 20th century.
Their son, Orlando Plunket Greene, followed in his father’s footsteps as a musician and composer. He has worked on various film and television projects, such as The Crown, The King’s Speech, Downton Abbey, and The Queen. Their daughter, Sasha Plunket Greene, is an artist and photographer who has exhibited her work in London and New York.
Plunket Greene may have died young, but he left behind a lasting impact on the world of fashion and culture. He was a visionary who helped shape the style and spirit of an era. He was also a loving husband and father who supported his wife’s dreams and nurtured his children’s talents. He will always be remembered as a fashion icon who changed the way we dress and express ourselves.
