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Heather Till Photos - April 28, 2018

Fashion historian Ivan Sayers brought his immense store of knowledge and a marvellous collection of garments to the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre on April 28. The sold-out event was a fundraiser for the Canadian Federation of University Women - Sunshine Coast (CFUW - SC). Proceeds will go to the bursary fund established to help mature women return to post-secondary studies. Dozens of volunteers from CFUW - SC helped make the event run smoothly. Sayers displayed outfits from across the centuries and discussed their historical significance. A wedding dress from 1867 Maritimes was complemented by a machine-made lace shawl. An afternoon dress from 1890 sported billowing sleeves. The small tie at the neck was associated with the Suffragette movement. A cream dress from the late 1890s with volumes of lacework was made in Powell River. The “prairie belle” outfit was modelled after an illustration on a school workbook. The buttoned front panel conceals trousers, allowing the pioneer woman to ride astride a horse. The war years saw restrictions in the amount of fabric used in dresses, such as one from the 1940s with a separate tunic that could be worn with a different skirt. There were no restrictions on millinery, so hats were often elaborate and fanciful. A cotton afternoon dress from 1949 was enhanced by “horrible and wonderful dead animals,” which were a great status symbol. Two full-skirted dresses were from the early 1950s, one with a take on Mexican fashion, and one with a Navaho influence. By 1967, the mod craze had arrived, with mini-skirts and vinyl knee high boots. An early ‘70s jacket and midi-skirt were crafted from men’s ties. A blue gown from the ‘80s was hand-beaded in India, and showed Princess Diana’s influence.