essence, December 2013

 

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Waimakariri fashion turns heads at Passchendaele

An old 1950s Simplicity pattern for a swing coat and petal collar in a stunning red-poppy fabric from Spotlight drew plenty of comment at the Belgian Passchendaele centenary commemorations last month.
Mayor David Ayers’ wife Marilyn who accompanied her husband to the commemorations in Belgium wanted to wear something special to the service.
She asked Rangiora designer Fran Gardner to make her a coat out of some fabulous poppy fabric from Christchurch outlet Spotlight.
Gardner found an old 1950s Simplicity pattern for a swing coat and petal collar online which Marilyn thought would suit both the fabric and the event she was attending.
And she was right.
“I had a lot of comment about about where had I bought it? And could I tell them so they could get one too. Well I hadn’t bought it of course – it was Rangiora Waimakariri-made fashion specially for the event. I was even chatted up – well not really – but he came over when he saw me in the coat – by a British General.”
In all a total fashion coup which turned heads on the European stage.
Not only does the coat design hark back to that era but Marilyn is particularly pleased with the quirky lime-spotted lining and the big black buttons Gardner managed to source.
“Fran is a very creative person. She calls herself The Dressmaker and has been dressmaking for many years.”

Advocate, Kaiapoi, 16th November, 2017