Summary

Chiffon dress with a white background with red and black dot pattern forming geometric squares. It was made by the label of Madame Serini. Although undated, the dress has similarities with another featured in a newspaper column by Elizabeth Daly on 7 March 1977 - gathered three-quarter sleeves, round neckline slightly lowered from the neck, a full skirt and soft, sheer fabric - identified as a printed French pure silk chiffon.

Madame Serini (Irredenta Itala Serini) was a post-war Italian immigrant who arrived in Australia with her family in 1950. She had trained in Italy as a designer and dressmaker, and worked as a high-end fashion designer in Hobart and Melbourne before setting up her own label in Melbourne in 1959. Madame Serini became a leading prestige women's clothing designer across Australia in the 1960s and 1970s, finally closing in 1981.

Physical Description

Chiffon dress, white background with red and black dot pattern forming geometric squares. Mid-calf length. Boat neckline. Full skirt with panels of fabric cut on the cross. Centre panel is inserted in a v-shape on the front, with a lower panel forming a frill to the hem. Raglan sleeves, gathered at wrist. Small bow on upper left neckline is used to attach a separate red rosette. Cream silk and synthetic lining. Belt with white sating facing has three press-studs for adjustment. There is a separate scarf in the same fabric.

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