Block-printed silk dress

This silk dress, by Christchurch designer Fanny Buss, belonged to Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, New Zealand’s first Māori woman cabinet minister. Whetu worked with artists and designers such as Fanny Buss to create unique fabrics printed or woven with Māori motifs.

Details

Credit: Dress gifted by Dr Denis Sullivan and May-Ana Tirikatene Sullivan, Collection of Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi, 2014/11/24
Copyright: All Rights Reserved, Image © Lee Trusttum
Designer: Fanny Buss
Manufacturing location: Christchurch
Garment type: Dress
Material: Silk
Colour: Shades of purple
Label: Fanny Buss
Date: 1970