Did you pick up a Mary Quant frock at a 1970s jumble sale?

Women are being asked to have a rummage in their wardrobes in a bid to find items for an exhibition of work by an iconic British fashion designer.

Heather Tilbury, a former PR and marketing manager to Dame Mary Quant, is appealing to people in the area to see if they have any Quant clothing or accessories hidden away, after admitting that she gave many pieces away.

Heather, from Brockley who worked with Quant for 13 years, said: "I'm looking for garments, shoes and accessories. The annoying thing is I used to give all my samples to local jumble sales."

She has made the appeal after the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum announced it is holding a Mary Quant exhibition due to open April next year.

Heather said the jumble sales she would have given clothing to would have been in the Brockley, Hartest, Hawkedon and Whepstead areas. She added: "However, this may cover many other areas, obviously, jumble sales attracted people from all sorts of other areas."

Heather said the jumble sales would have been held any time between 1970-1979.

The museum has asked anyone who would like to come forward to get in touch by email – maryquant@vam.ac.uk – or by using the hashtag on social media #WeWantQuant

Commenting on the exhibition, Dame Maryt, 88, said: "Friends have been extremely generous in loaning and, in many cases, donating garments and accessories to the V&A which they have lovingly cherished for many years, so it will be fascinating to see what else will emerge!"

In particular the types of garments that the V&A and Heather are looking for include:

Rare and early one off designs sold between 1955 and 1960

PVC, especially from Quant's 'Wet' collection

Seminal styles with Peter Pan collars

Knitwear, swimwear and accessories

Garments made using Butterick patterns

Any other Quant garments from the era

It is a chance for people to feature in the exhibition by donating any garments they may find lurking in their wardrobes or drawers.

Heather's role while working for Quant included media relations, briefing her before interviews, and going with her to functions, events and fashion shows. She is now adviser to the V&A on the exhibition.

Heather said: "It is essential that this exhibition is as comprehensive and represents a wide selection of Mary's designs as is possible and sadly at the time we didn't always realise why it would be so essential to keep everything because they have now become such unique pieces of that wonderful era, the 60s in particular."

Quant revolutionised the high street with her subversive and playful designs for a younger generation, from hot pants, miniskirts, and trousers for women to accessories, tights and make up.

The exhibition is set to bring together 200 objects, the majority of those which have never been on public display.