Fashion photography

Vinka Lucas' career in the New Zealand fashion industry spanned 50 years. During that time, she proved herself to be one of the country's the most idiosyncratic and flamboyant designers of special occasion one-off gowns. While Vinka was the creative force, the business and its expansion was driven by her husband, Charles Lucas, an adventurous entrepreneur. Their business story, the highlights of which are recorded in the archive, is one of both success and disaster.

This archive includes material spanning from across the Lucas' career in the fashion industry, and in particular provides unique insight into the bridal business of the 1960s, and the Lucas' decision to branch into the Middle Eastern market in the 1980s, a move which ended in failure.
 
The photography in this collection is particularly strong, featuring as it does a range of photographic studios, including Barry McKinley, well known models such as Paula Ryan, Maisie Bestall-Cohen, Diana Cooper and Denise Nottle, Miss New Zealand, and the adaptation of Vinka Lucas' style for the Middle Eastern market etc.