Dress, Woman's
Maker
Petite Vogue by Classic
Production date
Late 1960s
Current rights
See full details
Object detail
Description
A woman's dress made of brown wool stretch type fabric. Sleeveless with slightly square shaped neck with two ruffles of cream lace. Centre front has fixed brown ribbon bow under lace. Bust line is shaped with curved seam to waist, matching inset piece at back. Slight gathering where these 2 pieces are stitched at the waist. Dress has long zip at back, hook and eye at top. Petitie Vogue label is stitched below back facing.
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. “The Te Puke Mothers group put on the 'Bride of the Year' in 1969. I bought this lovely 'Petite Vogue' brown woollen dress at Mrs Ellison’s in Te Puke, my favourite dress shop. It was so smart, sleeveless, a beautifully fitted top, with white lace collar and brown satin bow. Yes it was my favourite – I could never bear to part with it.”
Joe Lewis had a long career in the fashion business, followed by sons Tony and Bill. Petite Vogue was one of their most popular franchised labels. Their fashion house, Classic Fashions Ltd, experienced a great period of expansion in the 1970s. They invested in the latest technology such as machines for blind-hem stitching, pin tucking, shirring and embroidering. A die press made buckles and metal ornaments.
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. “The Te Puke Mothers group put on the 'Bride of the Year' in 1969. I bought this lovely 'Petite Vogue' brown woollen dress at Mrs Ellison’s in Te Puke, my favourite dress shop. It was so smart, sleeveless, a beautifully fitted top, with white lace collar and brown satin bow. Yes it was my favourite – I could never bear to part with it.”
Joe Lewis had a long career in the fashion business, followed by sons Tony and Bill. Petite Vogue was one of their most popular franchised labels. Their fashion house, Classic Fashions Ltd, experienced a great period of expansion in the 1970s. They invested in the latest technology such as machines for blind-hem stitching, pin tucking, shirring and embroidering. A die press made buckles and metal ornaments.
Maker
Petite Vogue by Classic
Production date
Late 1960s
Production place
New Zealand
Measurements
880mm (centre back to hem), 470mm (width)
Credit line
Gifted by Ruth Espin
Accession number
0019/19
Current rights