A beautiful 1960s evening ensemble in blue. 

History

This outfit, made by Adelaide dressmaker Marisa Corlevich, was worn by Lady June Porter to a dinner dance at the Adelaide Town Hall on 23 August 1969 in honour of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent. 

The ensemble was donated by Lady Porter to be used in the South Australian Sesquicentennial Jubilee exhibition 'J150 - Those were the days', in 1986. The J150 collection was subsequently donated to the Migration Museum.

Significance

This costume is significant both for its association with several special occasions in Adelaide's civic life. In particular the fact that Lady Porter wore it on the occasion of a royal visit, and its later use in the commemorations of 150 years of British settlement in South Australia. It is also a beautifully made and preserved example of 1960s South Australian couture.

Description

Original evening dress and coat. 

Coat: A-line peacock blue slub silk, decoration in same fabric over bust, round neck. Bracelet length fitted sleeves, back has seam at waist, label ‘Marisa Haute Couture Adelaide’. 

Dress: bright green and blue metallic threads latticed onto mauve backing cloth, long straight dress. Sleeveless with high rolled collar, long zip at back, lined with pale green organdie.