 
  Evening gown and matching bolero jacket, c.1948, donated by Mrs D Savage, 1983.54
The late 1940s saw the development of metallic and modacrylic fabrics. This gown, made of pink embroidered net, features gold metallic thread in its embroidery. This was a very modern detail for the time. There are weights sewn inside the skirt to ensure it swept evenly to the ground.
This gown was worn by Mrs Joan Bull when presenting her daughter to Governor General Freyberg at a debutante ball, c.1948, at Government House in Auckland. This presentation had special significance as it was the first presentation after WWII, and Mrs Bull had her dress specially sent out from London. Britain was still the epitome of style in New Zealand minds, though this would change in the 1950s.
   
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