Jenny Bannister designed her first plastic dress in 1977 when she was invited to a 1950s party and wanted something different to wear. Clarence Chai asked her to design more for his shop. She designed a range for fashion expo, each with a different theme.

This dress was made for Clarence Chai's shop in Melbourne.

Deborah Thomas saw one of Jenny Bannister's plastic dresses on display and purchased this one to wear to a Mark and Jeffrey fashion parade at the Sydney Opera House. She wore it with clear plastic shoes with ankle straps, black fishnet stockings and two plastic roses in her hair.
Shop where the dress was bought.

Evening dress, womens, 'Chocolate box', plastic / fabric, designed by Jenny Bannister for Chai, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1979-1981

Evening dress, strapless with fitted bustier bodice and full skirt to below knee. Bodice of red cotton and elastic covered in black mesh, overlain with clear plastic and trimmed at the neckline with red plastic roses and red plastic piping. Centre back hook and eye fastening. Full skirt and petticoat are gathered onto the waist. Petticoat of black plastic. The skirt is clear plastic trimmed with painted red plastic roses and black lace around the hem roses across the front. A clear plastic overskirt gathered onto a red satin sash that ties centre back into a large bow.

Designer: Bannister, Jenny; Melbourne, Victoria

Maker: Bannister, Jenny; Melbourne, Victoria; 1979 - 1981


User: Thomas, Deborah; Sydney

Owner: Chai; Melbourne, Victoria

Black fabric label: Jenny Bannister for Chai.

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