Ivory Wedding Dress
WearerWorn by
Mrs Margaret Violet Clifford
(Aberdeen, Scotland)
Date1957
Object NameDress
Mediumpolyester, metal, faux pearls and cotton
ClassificationsFashion and Dress
DimensionsChest x Waist x Length x Back Length x Bust x Circumference x Hips: 400 × 300 × 1450 × 2250 × 350 × 13100 × 530mm
AcquisitionPresented in 2012.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS082597
About MeIn September 1957, Miss Margaret Violet Grant was travelling on board the SS Hildebrand to Trinidad, to marry Mr Norman Stuart, who worked in the oil industry on the island. The ship hit rocks off Lisbon, in Portugal. Everyone on-board was rescued, but Miss Grant lost all her possessions, including the wedding dress her mother had made for her.When she finally reached Trinidad, Miss Grant found a local dressmaker. With the aid of pictures from magazines the dressmaker made this wedding dress for her. Miss Grant and Mr Stuart were married two weeks later at a Catholic Church, St. Anthony's in Point Fortin. They went to Grenada for their honeymoon and when they got back Mrs Stuart bought a sewing machine, with the compensation from the shipwreck, so she could make her own clothes.
This ivory organza, lace and taffeta wedding dress features a pleated, boat-shaped neckline which dips to a v-front. The fitted bodice is made of lace, with faux pearls attached to it. The same lace and pearls are applied to the very wide organza skirt which is lined with acetate. The two layers of the skirt are gathered into the waist and form a train at the back.
