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This garment, with the intriguing title of ‘Lemon Squash’, was designed by Swiss-born Robert Piguet. Piguet was acknowledged at the time as the most Parisian of fashion designers. Many French designers of the post-World War II period trained under him, including Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, and Hubert de Givenchy.

From Paris to New Zealand

The ensemble was sent to the New Zealand Wool Board by the International Wool Secretariat to be used in wool promotions. Mary Annette Hay (nee Burgess), the Wool Board's Promotions Officer from 1948 to 1956, included 'Lemon Squash' in a number of her productions including 'The Miracle of Wool', which was first presented in Christchurch in 1950 as part of Canterbury's centennial celebrations. The model came on to 'The Last Time I Saw Paris'. In the programme for the show, she noted:

'Robert Piguet, the Parisian designer who created this chic outfit, calls it 'Lemon Squash'. The fine two-toned check green wool of the dress is repeated in the reversable fabric of the cape, which is a gay yellow on the other side. The hood can be turned back to show the contrasting lining as a frame for the face.'

In 1951 Mary Annette visited Piguet’s opulent salon was on the Champs Élysées, in the heart of Paris. She described the beautifully furnished room as ‘perfection in every detail’. Piguet closed the house later that year.