outfit, cocktail gown and matching jacket and shoes all coral coloured Thai silk, jacket is knee length, swing style, single breasted, five large self covered buttons to centre front with bound button holes, three quarter length raglan sleeves, decorative rows of top stitching to opening, on tailored lapels and in a circle around the slit pockets to hips, triangular panels to front sides, darts to back shoulders, fully lined in light pink silk, ties in same fabric sewn to lining; dress is sheath style, sleeveless and knee length with interesting diagonal darts and panels to front, vertical darts to back, welt pockets at hips, scoop neckline coming to point at centre front, trimmed with bow in same fabric, hand beading around neckline, zipper and hook and eye fastener to back, fully lined in pale pink silk; shoes are pumps with thick high [boulevard] plastic capped heel slightly squared toe, upper vamp trimmed with bow in same fabric, leather soles and inners

This evening ensemble, hand-tailored and complete with shoes covered in matching silk, was designed for its owner to wear on a trip to England in the late 1960s.

At the time this style of sheath dress had become highly fashionable, and this is an example of how designers translated the more casual trend into eveningwear by careful selection of fabric, beadwork and accessories.

Applied Arts and Design