Fashion came from abroad in 1950s 
New Zealand. Movies, magazines and newspapers all showed what the well-dressed woman should be wearing. Britain with young Queen Elizabeth as a role model, Hollywood glamour, American casual and French designer elegance each offered their own version and while the originals were not generally available for purchase here, the capable dressmaker
 and the astute manufacture copied the trends from overseas. Only the French designers favoured the use of black and this day dress, manufactured by Joe Lewis of Fashions Limited in Wellington, is an excellent example of the simple elegance of a little black dress. Read more about wearing the colour black in the New Zealand Fashion Museum publication Black: The history of black in fashion, society and culture in New Zealand.