Historical information

Growing up in Sandringham, Joy Bosomworth learned to sew at the knee of her mother Elsie Myra Keefer, a seamstress. By the time she was an adult, she was making most of her own clothes. She made this shot velvet evening dress, along with a matching stole and bag, in 1961 to wear to a ball at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she worked as a radiographer.

Physical description

An evening outfit consisting of a matching dress, stole, bag and gloves.

Sleeveless one-shoulder evening dress of blue velvet shot with metallic red. The dress is gathered at the proper left front waist and is lined with red synthetic fabric. Fastens with a zip and hook at the side.

Stole of blue velvet shot with metallic red, lined with red synthetic fabric.

Handbag made from blue velvet shot with metallic red. The bag has a gold metal frame and clasp, with a shot gold metal chain attached. The interior is red synthetic fabric, with a single side pocket.

Elbow-length red nylon evening globes.