Collection item

Bendon leopard print "sleeping toga" and briefs, 1968

Adele Dallimore (nee Smith) worked for Bendon as a house model from 1968 to 1971. This is one of the sets she acquired during her time with them.

Made of Bri-Nylon, this daring leopard print two-piece features a tabard style top which is open down the sides and fastens with a tie on either side, with matching hip hugging briefs. 

In the original advertisement, the top garment is described as a "sleeping toga", and the following description of this range is also included: "Made to co-ordinate... bras, girdles, slips, panties, togas... the new “Leopard” Prints by Bendon, in Bri-nylon and Lycra fabrics for cool, light comfort and easy care."

The NZFM photographed this set at our Popup photography session in October 2024 which was part of our Hui Auaha o Aotearoa Open Day.

Details

Photographer: Denise Baynham
Credit: Garment loan courtesy of Adele Dallimore.
Copyright: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 Licence
Photographer: Nathalie Gregory
Credit: Garment loan courtesy of Adele Dallimore.
Copyright: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 Licence
Credit: Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31806, 10 October 1968, Page 2 via Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19681010.2.23.2
Copyright: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence
Designer: Larry Cross
Maker: Hurley Bendon Ltd
Manufacturing location: Stoddard Rd, Mt Roskill, Auckland
Garment type: sleepwear/lingerie, tabard style top with matching knickers
Material: Bri-Nylon in leopard print
Features: open-sided top with tie closures, hip high briefs with black elastic edging
Colour: Brown, Black, Fawn
Last published: February 2025
Label: Bendon
Date: 1968

Related exhibitions

Hui Auaha o Aotearoa 2024 - Open Day