White satin bathing suit

This bathing suit was worn by Margaret Mohi in Waimarama, Hawke's Bay in 1953. "My mum (Margaret Mohi) wore this swimsuit when she went to Tonga to visit her sister Maxine and brother-in-law Reverend John Tamahori in 1953-1954 during the Royal Tour. Rumour has it that Margaret went swimming with the Duke of Edinburgh in this swimsuit. When Mum was in her late teens living in Rotorua, a movie producer came to town and wanted to take Mum back to Hollywood. Mum and her sister and cousin Nora appeared in several publicity photos for Rotorua and Mum was also on the cover of a cruise ship itinerary in 1939."

Details

Credit: Garment loans courtesy of Adele Mohi McGoverin (bathing suit), Jane Keenan (swim cap) and Cecilie Geary (sunglasses)
Copyright: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 Licence
Designer: Unknown
Garment type: Bathing suit
Material: Stretch satin
Features: Bathing suit has interior loops to attach optional straps
Colour: White
Exhibition: At the Beach
Label: Unlabelled
Date: 1953