Wedded eight times in 120 years

BY LEE-ANNE EDWARDS - HUTT NEWS

Most wedding dresses get only one outing, but a gown owned by Georgina Dobson's family has floated down the aisle on eight occasions spanning more than a century from 1875 to 1995.

The silk two-piece outfit is one of 27 dresses in I Do  100 Years of Wedding Dresses, at Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre in Upper Hutt.

"It's been through some times, this dress," Georgina says. "It certainly wasn't cossetted in the early days. It was traipsed through paddocks, dodging cow pats, over farm fences, the whole bit, and it's come through it all."

The dress was first worn in 1875 by Anne Margaret Whithair, a British immigrant who came to New Zealand to marry Herbert Parker in Christchurch.

Its next outing was in 1910 when Margaret Parker wore it for her marriage to Cuthbert Meares in Christchurch.

Throughout the decades it was centre stage again in 1937, 1949, 1961, 1963, 1991 and most recently in 1995.

"Corsets were still a normal part of a woman's clothing when this dress was made," says the curator of the new exhibition, Julia Waite.

Featuring a hooped petticoat (the hoops were originally made of cane but have been replaced with wire), another delicate petticoat that ends in a flowing train and a bustle filling out the back of the skirt, the gown is starting to show its age.

"It had to be washed because, frankly, it was filthy, and so the outer silk has lost some of its original stiffness, and there's some loss of colour in places, but when you think it's been through eight wedding ceremonies and been danced in at eight receptions, it's doing okay," Georgina says.

Following the dictates of fashion, the dress has been altered through the years.

While the skirt remains the same, the bodice, which originally featured lace that extended up into a high collar, now has that same lace as a top covered by a long-sleeved jacket with a bow fastener at the front.

"You could say some of the brides were early recyclers, only they called it 'making do'. It wasn't always about sentiment. Practicality came into it too, through supply shortages and lack of money."

It is the family connection that is special to Georgina and her relatives.

"It's so nice to be able to track it back down the generations and to know it was worn on such important occasions in our family history."

It is just the kind of tale that curator Julia Waite was hoping for when she put out a call for wedding dresses earlier this year.

''I wanted strong examples of the period as well as dresses that had an interesting story.  The exhibition is a survey through history, really, from the 1800s to the present day with two to three dresses from each decade. We wanted to reflect the changes in bridal fashion, tradition and culture.''

Along with the antique dresses, visitors will also see a Flapper wedding dress from the 1920s,  'iconic' war bride gowns with sweetheart necklines and 1950s Dior-style ensembles. 

Also from the 1950s is a polyester dress, an example of the new ''wonder fabric'' hailed for its easy care, drape and versatility.

Gowns tell local stories

One of the most pleasing aspects of the exhibition for curator Julia Waite is the opportunity to work with the community.

''This show is the direct result of public feedback, it exists because residents asked for it.''

Responding to the proposal, Julia put out a call for gowns and has been delighted by the feedback.

''We have more than 20 local dresses on display along with three on loan from the Te Manawa Museum in Palmerston North.  It's great how people have been so keen to lend us treasured family gowns.''

This includes rarities like Joan McIver's parachute silk dress worn in 1945. ''Parachute silk garments are particularly scarce so we are thrilled to be able to share this fabulous dress with the public.''

Another dress belongs to Freda Bennoch, who says her 1945 wedding came about through the misfortune of a friend.

''It was wartime and almost impossible to purchase anything in the way of bridal material and patterns.  A friend whose fiance was serving overseas had got her beau to send back a pattern and fabric but through unfortunate circumstances her wedding didn't go ahead.''

The friend generously offered the material to Freda while the friend's sister said she'd make the dress.

''It was lovely of her and I was thrilled because she was a wonderful dressmaker.''

Married in St Joseph's Church, Upper Hutt, Freda has kept the dress in beautiful condition, lending it out a number of times for fashion shows and historic displays.