Newspaper advertisement, 'There is something wonderful in the Wellington Wind'

item details

NameNewspaper advertisement, 'There is something wonderful in the Wellington Wind'

ProductionJames Smith Ltd.; commissioner; circa 1960s
Kate Coolahan; artist; circa 1960s

Classificationclippings, advertisements

Materialsnewsprint, printing ink

Techniquesprinting

DimensionsApproximate: 435mm (width), 460mm (height)

Registration NumberCA000478/004/0006

Overview

Description

Newspaper clipping of an advertisement for James Smiths department store. The advertisement features an illustration of three women wearing 'Haute Couture' by Morton, and words being blown from a cherub-like personification of the wind or Zephyr. The first line reads: 'There is something wonderful in the Wellington Wind'.

Significance

Kate Coolahan worked for James Smith's from 1959 to 1960, and on a part-time basis from 1962 to 1964. Coolahan created a memorable house style for James Smith’s fashion campaigns, starring a gallery of smartly dressed, sophisticated city women. Coolahan became somewhat of a star herself – her advertisements attracted regular fan mail and requests to purchase her drawings.

In this advertisement for winter fashions Coolahan and the copywriter wittily play on Wellington's reputation as a windy city.

The Kate Coolahan Archive, also includes the 'paste-up' for this advertisement, which was designed for The Evening Post newspaper.