This cocktail dress is made of black crepe with gold thread horizontal stripes and an elaborate heavy gold machine-embroidered pattern sewn onto separate black crepe strips. It was purchased in the 1960s by Annette Main, a former Mayor of Whanganui, from Michael Mattar, a fashion designer and dressmaker who lived and worked in Taumarunui all his life.

Born in 1920, Mattar’s interest in fashion started when he was 10 years old, watching Hollywood legends on the big screen at the Taumarunui picture theatre. Later he wanted to study fashion but in 1950s New Zealand that was not possible. He started making outfits for his two sisters, at the same time building up a following for his fashion style.

In 1962 he entered the Golden Shears Awards and was awarded second prize in the Evening Wear section. In 1963 he opened Michael Mattar Haute Couture in the main street of Taumarunui. In 1968 he won two trophies at the Benson and Hedges Fashion Awards, the first in the Formal Evening Wear section. The second was the New Zealand Wool Board trophy.

At the height of his fame in the 1960s, women would travel from all over the North Island to be fitted for one his exquisite cocktail gowns. His style was classically elegant with a touch of Hollywood glamour. Michael Mattar passed away in 2004.

Dress, 1960s
Made from black crepe and gold thread
Designed and made by Michael Mattar, Taumarunui
Gift of Annette Main, 2013
WRM 2013.9.2
Photographed by Kathy Greensides

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