Cocktail Dress
Production date
1960
Country
England
Object detail
Description
Petal dress of pale pink silk. Scoop neckline, three quarter length sleeves, fitted bodice with bow at centre front waist. Skirt constructed with large petal shaped pieces of silk.
Classification
COSTUME Eveningwear woman
Maker
Production date
1960
Production place
Measurements
Length: 1015mm
Waist: 320mm
Sleeve: 465mm
Waist: 320mm
Sleeve: 465mm
Media/Materials description
Silk, cotton, metal.
Signature/Marks
Elegance/REG.
15374 16540
PURE SILK
15374 16540
PURE SILK
History and use
A 21st birthday was celebrated as a milestone of entry to adulthood. It is sometimes acknowledged at different ages across cultures however, from a legal perspective in Queensland in the the 1960s, it meant the right to vote, obtain a driver’s license and drink alcohol. These rights would often have resulted in significant lifestyle changes, as individuals were legally allowed in bars, could attend music venues and had the freedom associated with a driver’s licence.
This dress was purchased at Brisbane department store Finney Isles & Co in 1960 as an outfit for a young Brisbane woman celebrating her 21st birthday. The dress’s fashion label ‘Elegance’ was a subsidiary label of ‘Susan Small’ which was a popular British ready-to-wear fashion firm.
The party was held at the iconic function venue, Whytecliffe, and featured in the Australian Women’s Weekly society pages. The partygoers signed an oversized key as a memento, that has become associated with 21st birthdays as a symbol of the keys to adulthood. The key, hand made by the woman’s father, is also a part of the Queensland Museum collection (Object H50645).
Changes in laws meant the voting age and drinking age, changed to 18 in 1973 and 1974 respectively. Queensland now uses a graded driver’s licensing model that begins at 16 and most students finish their schooling at 18. This has altered the significance of turning 21, with the celebration of adulthood often occurring at 18. This rite of passage is now celebrated at a different age but is still regarded as a significant time in a young person’s life.
This dress was purchased at Brisbane department store Finney Isles & Co in 1960 as an outfit for a young Brisbane woman celebrating her 21st birthday. The dress’s fashion label ‘Elegance’ was a subsidiary label of ‘Susan Small’ which was a popular British ready-to-wear fashion firm.
The party was held at the iconic function venue, Whytecliffe, and featured in the Australian Women’s Weekly society pages. The partygoers signed an oversized key as a memento, that has become associated with 21st birthdays as a symbol of the keys to adulthood. The key, hand made by the woman’s father, is also a part of the Queensland Museum collection (Object H50645).
Changes in laws meant the voting age and drinking age, changed to 18 in 1973 and 1974 respectively. Queensland now uses a graded driver’s licensing model that begins at 16 and most students finish their schooling at 18. This has altered the significance of turning 21, with the celebration of adulthood often occurring at 18. This rite of passage is now celebrated at a different age but is still regarded as a significant time in a young person’s life.
Associated person
Registration number
H50644
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