item details
NameWedding dress
ProductionThomson's Silk Shop; dressmaker; 1955; Wellington
Classificationdresses, wedding dresses
Materialscotton, plastic
Materials SummaryCotton seersucker wedding dress
DimensionsCentre back: 1175mm (length)
Registration NumberGH016963
Credit lineGift of Mrs Margaret Alington, 2010
Overview
This dress was worn by Margaret Broadhead for her wedding to budding modernist architect William (Bill) Alington in Christchurch in December 1955. It was made by the once legendary Thomson’s Silk Shop of Wellington.
The couple wanted the dress to be simple, in line with their modernist sensibilities. Bill brought his design expertise to the unconventional choice of fabric - imported French seersucker. Margaret’s hat and gloves added a traditional touch.
Bill went on to become a significant architect, and Margaret, through her writing, contributed to the knowledge of New Zealand’s architectural history.