item details
Overview
A New Zealander in Moscow
Marjorie Nees purchased the flowing silk gown to wear to evening events at the International Design Congress in Moscow in October 1975. Marjorie attended the conference with her husband Geoff Nees (1923-1999), director of the New Zealand Industrial Design Council. As representatives of New Zealand's design community, she wanted to wear 'something typically New Zealand', and recalls that the gown was much admired and discussed.
The Ethnic Art Studio
Majorie Nees purchased the gown from The Ethnic Art Studio in Wellington. The Ethnic Art Studio was founded by Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, a Parliamentarian and fashion-lover, in 1972. Tirikatene-Sullivan believed that if Māori designs were to survive, that they needed to be adapted, and introduced to new generations of New Zealanders. She saw fashion as an ideal vehicle, and set out to provide New Zealanders with 'host and hostess leisurewear using ethnic handprints - including traditional Maori design'. She found a ready market in women like Majorie Nees, who when travelling internationally wanted clothing 'that would readily identify her with New Zealand'.
Tirikatene-Sullivan designed a number of garments and accessories for the boutique, and commissioned a range of designers, amongst them Sandy Adsett and Douglas Chowns, to create prints for her fabrics. It is not yet known who designed the print for this particular gown. The Hawkes Bay Cultural Trust hold a silk dashiki which features the same print.
As well as stocking Tirikatene-Sullivans's own designs, the boutique promoted indigenous-inspired clothing by 20 different Māori and Pākehā designers, including Kowhai Knitwear and Fanny Buss Ltd.