"Innocence: a Lingerie Collection by Canterbury"

Description

Preliminary drawing for 'Innocence: a Lingerie collection by Canterbury' for Lane Walker Rudkin of Christchurch. The drawing, which has been rendered in colour pencil,features a white dove holding a branch in its claws.

Significance

Kate Coolahan created this illustration while in the employment of Carlton Carruthers du Chateau, a Wellington advertising agency known for its ‘artistic character’. One of the firm’s key clients was Lane Walker Rudkin, a Christchurch clothing manufacturer. Coolahan designed packaging and promotional material for the company’s ‘Canterbury’ label which included fashionable women’s clothing, children’s wear, lingerie, swimwear and hosiery.

Coolahan worked with Carlton Carruthers du Chateau and King until 1957, and again between 1960 and 1962 when it was Carlton Carruthers du Chateau.