Rosemary Haylock wore this sheath dress as a debutante in December 1965. She had finished her schooling and as a young woman who had reached maturity, she was presented to society at a formal ‘debut’.

While Rosemary’s presentation was a family event held at their Bulls homestead, more formal debutante balls were held by churches, businesses, government departments and university faculties until the 1970s. They were reported on extensively, including what everyone wore.

Rosemary’s mother donated this dress to the museum in 1999. It was made by Miss Gedye, a well-known Sanson dressmaker. It is made from nylon-organza fabric lined with rayon taffeta, stiffened with vilene. It has a large fabric rose and leaf trim sewn at the centre front bust line, a boat-shaped neckline with a lower neckline at the back, and a centre metal zip with a hook and eye closure. Rosemary recalls that she did not wear gloves and wore her long hair loosely.

The Haylock family lived on Albert Street in Palmerston North until 1961, when the family moved to Bulls after Hilary and Owen inherited the family property Lethenty. Rosemary boarded at Woodford House in Havelock North and then went to Otago University in 1966 completing a Home Science degree. In 2001 she married Bruce Hopwood.

By Dr Bronwyn Labrum, Pou Ārahi/Director at Whanganui Regional Museum.

Main image: Debutante gown, 1965
Made from nylon-organza, lined with rayon taffeta, stiffened with vilene
Made by Miss Gedye, Sanson
Gift of Hilary Haylock, 1999
WRM 1999.49.23
Photographed by Kathy Greensides

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