Rina Fiori di Firenze by Bendon navy and white lace lingerie set, 1969

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. This one, made by Bendon but branded under an Italian pseudonym Rina Fiori, lends a continental and romantic feel to a more sophisticated product line.

From the original 1969 advertisement, Rina Fiori di Firenze is "For the one woman in ten who treasures the precious things of life. The secret perfections, the hidden luxuries, the ultimate refinements that are beyond mere wealth. Rina Fiori designs a personal lingerie collection only for her... for you perhaps? Delicate... impeccable... intrinsically feminine... the final essence of secret elegance. No one but you will ever appreciate the deep delicious pampered feeling of wearing these personal treasures by Rina Fiori."

Featuring a structured bra, embellished knickers, and a mini-length slip with crisp white pleating accents and sheer navy blue nylon lace, it blends form and function, acting both as practical underpinnings as well as attractive lingerie.

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 CIX, Issue 31940, 18 March 1969, Page 5 via Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19690318.2.45.2
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: Bra, knickers, and mini-length slip
Material: Nylon, elastane
Features: Nylon lace, pleated inserts, bow and insertion details
Colour: Navy, white
Last published: February 2025
Label: Rina Fiori
Date: 1969