Rosemarie Muller's earliest business model after moving to NZ with her husband in 1952, was to maintain a rack of finished garments, all designed and sewn by her. As demand for her garments increased she recruited her first employee - another Dutch immigrant - a woman who, while not a trained machinist, was very good at sewing. Eventually Rosemarie would employ more machinists and two cutters to free her up for designing and dealing with clients. By 1993 she employed five people in her workroom.

This particular dress has straps included, but have not been stitched in place, perhaps to adjust to its wearer, and has been photographed with the straps concealed.