Do you know the story behind this dress?

A rare parachute maternity dress discovered in a North Shore hospice shop could soon become part of New Zealand’s national collection, but its future display may depend on uncovering the story behind it.

Costume collector and local fashion enthusiast Yvonne Payne bought the dress while sourcing garments for the Wedding Dresses for the Decades show she organised in May 2023 and again in September 2025.

Yvonne says she first heard about the dress while visiting either the Milford or Takapuna Hospice shop, where it was displayed in the window alongside a 1970s wedding dress.

“I was told about the dresses and went to have a look. I bought them because I wanted to protect them and also use them in the show,” she says.

While both garments were interesting, Yvonne soon realised the parachute dress could be something special. Her research suggested it may date back to the early 1900s and could be a rare maternity garment.

Wanting to ensure the dress was preserved, Yvonne contacted Te Papa fashion historian Claire Regnault and later visited the museum with the garment.

Regnault was immediately interested and photographed the dress for Te Papa’s internal review process. Yvonne says the museum’s acquisitions committee has already passed the dress through the first two stages of assessment.

The committee is now keen to learn more about the garment’s history before making a final decision.

“They are very interested in the dress, but they would love to know who owned it,” she says.

“If we could find a story about the woman who wore it, or even a photograph, that would really help when it comes to displaying it.”

The dress is believed to date from around the 1910s and appears to have been worn by a woman nursing a baby. Yvonne says the detailed lacework and fine pintucking show a high level of craftsmanship.

If accepted at the final stage, the dress will become part of Te Papa’s national collection in Wellington.

Before that happens, Yvonne hopes someone in the community may recognise the dress or remember the woman who once owned it.

Anyone with information about the dress, or the 1970s wedding dress that was found with it, can email yvonne@xtra.co.nz