Dress
Maker
Anthony Barratt
Production date
1968
Current rights
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Object detail
Description
Late 1960s early 1970s dress designed to look like a skirt and blouse. The skirt of the dress is navy blue and blouse top cream man made fabric. Skirt has slight gathering at waist and has a taffeta underskirt. Main part of blouse is double thickness, sleeves single. Stiff nylon pleated ruff at wrists, round the neck and down centre front of top. Wide belt at the navy blue material threads through a buckle. Zip down middle of back. Has label Anthony Barrett, Made in NZ. Size SSW.
Ruth Espin was born in Waihi and for much of her childhood was raised in Huntly. In 1968 she took a home science position at Otumoetai Intermediate, Tauranga. That year she met her husband Doug Espin and they began their farming life together in the Western Bay of Plenty. Clothing was always important to Ruth. She loved this dress. It reminded her of important moments in her life and how good she felt wearing it. “Frills were the rage at the time, March 1968. And when this new school teacher met her young farmer and became engaged, it was obvious that we were going to be asked to dance around the floor of the Welcome Bay Hall on our own while being clapped and cheered. I was so pleased I had chosen to wear this frilly dress as we danced alone on the floor to 'She Wears My Ring' by Soloman King”
Ruth Espin was born in Waihi and for much of her childhood was raised in Huntly. In 1968 she took a home science position at Otumoetai Intermediate, Tauranga. That year she met her husband Doug Espin and they began their farming life together in the Western Bay of Plenty. Clothing was always important to Ruth. She loved this dress. It reminded her of important moments in her life and how good she felt wearing it. “Frills were the rage at the time, March 1968. And when this new school teacher met her young farmer and became engaged, it was obvious that we were going to be asked to dance around the floor of the Welcome Bay Hall on our own while being clapped and cheered. I was so pleased I had chosen to wear this frilly dress as we danced alone on the floor to 'She Wears My Ring' by Soloman King”
Maker
Anthony Barratt
Production date
1968
Production place
New Zealand
Measurements
Center back to hem - 910mm, 450mm (width)
Accession number
0013/19
Current rights