Evening Dress, Woman's
Maker
Ruth Espin (b.1946, d.2019)
Production date
1967
Current rights
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Object detail
Description
Floor length ballgown. Heavy nylon type material. Overall smudged pattern of pink, red, orange and gold. Dress has 'V' neckline front and back. Front has two pieces draped from the shoulders and caught at waist sideseams. Dress is lined with pink silky type fabric. Lining acts as petticoat for the ballgown, attached at the waist. Dress has 300mm side zip.
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. “I couldn't resist this shiny material, and teamed it with a Vogue pattern. It made my favourite ball dress and I wore it to the Scottish Society Ball in Tauranga in 1967.”
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. “I couldn't resist this shiny material, and teamed it with a Vogue pattern. It made my favourite ball dress and I wore it to the Scottish Society Ball in Tauranga in 1967.”
Maker
Ruth Espin (b.1946, d.2019)
Production date
1967
Measurements
1450mm (centre back to hem)
Credit line
Gifted by Ruth Espin
Accession number
0028/19
Current rights