TūhuraOtago Museum is excited to unveil a stunning historicalwedding dress as part of its new ongoing textile rotationprogramme. On display now in , thelong-sleeved, panier-pocketed wedding dress from 1950 offersa captivating look at New Zealand's wedding traditions,perfectly timed for the upcoming summer weddingseason. The dress, worn at the wedding of Richard andPhyllis Pilling, represents the classic European "whitewedding" gown, a symbol of purity that has been part ofmarriage celebrations since the 19th century.
This gowninvites visitors to explore how wedding traditions havedeveloped, both in New Zealand and around the world, whilereflecting the timeless symbolism of the weddinggown. The display of this garment is part of TūhuraOtago Museum’s textile rotation programme, which aims toshowcase a range of clothing and textile artefacts from theMuseum's diverse collection. Honorary Curator and renowneddress historian, Dr Jane Malthus, who worked to bring thisbeautiful garment to the public says:.
“We’rethrilled to feature this wedding dress as part of our Dressfor Success display,” says Dr Malthus. “Wedding gownshave deep cultural meaning, and this gown is a perfectexample of 1950s wedding fashion in New Zealand. It’s awonderful way to celebrate both the traditions and theevolving nature of weddings in ourcountry.
” The refresh of the Museum’sgalleries is part of an ongoing effort to keep exhibitionsrelevant, and to ensure that visitors continue to enjoye.
