Colin Cole red and white polkadot suit ensemble, 1980s

This 1980s red and white polkadot ensemble is one of the many Colin Cole garments owned by the Cole-McCondach family, and has been documented and editorially shot as part of a project undertaken by photographer Lily McCondach, Colin Cole's grand-niece. 

 

Binki Taua, Colin Cole's sister-in-law, had this iconic cherry red polka dot suit made by him for a wedding in the eighties. She wore it despite it being a three-piece suit on a hot summer day. The ensemble features a jacket with a statement contrast collar, the matching narrow pencil skirt, a white cotton sleeveless blouse with red bias binding, and a sash and belt that can be worn all together or switched out depending on how it was to be worn. 

Details

Photographer: Lily McCondach.
Model Ella Maskell
Credit: Garment loan courtesy of the Colin Cole Estate.
Copyright: Images © Lily McCondach.
Copyright: Image © Colin Cole Estate.
Designer: Colin Cole
Garment type: Suit ensemble featuring a jacket, skirt, blouse, sash and belt.
Material: Red and white polkadot cotton sateen with woven jacquard texture, white cotton contrast
Colour: Red, white, blue belt
Last published: February 2025
Date: 1980s