Throughout the 20th century, many New Zealand companies manufactured international labels under licence. This dress is an example of a well known and much loved British label which was manufactured locally by California Productions (NZ) Ltd. Horrockses Fashions label was founded in England in 1946 by the cotton manufacturer Horrockses, Crewdson Company Ltd. The company's ready-to-wear cotton dresses soon became well known for their crisp cut and colourful prints. In the 1952, the company approached Queen Elizabeth II to see if she would like to select a Horrockses wardrobe for her upcoming Commonwealth tours, including her 1953-54 tour of New Zealand. The company viewed the tour as a way of promoting British merchandise abroad, and the Queen obliged. Fashion stores throughout the Commonwealth were advised that the Queen would be wearing Horrockses during her tour, so that they could order a selection of styles to cater to those women wanting to emulate their sovereign.