Rosemary Whitehead created this coat design in her third year of her degree at the New Zealand College of Fashion. They had to do a tailored garment with horsehair interlining, and welt buttonholes. She chose this textured slub silk with alternating horizontal brown and black stripes woven in, and a black, very soft lambskin leather to create the epaulettes, buttons, buttonholes, welt pockets and tabs on the cuffs. The coat has a slim, straight silhouette but includes a deep vent in the centre back to allow for movement; this combined with the heavy drape of the fabric creates movement when the coat is worn.

Not only interested in fashion design, Rosemary was also a musician at this time, and wore this coat in a series of publicity photoshoots for the band she was in during the late '80s called Drone.