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Story: Fashion and textile design

Kevin Berkahn dress, 1973

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Kevin Berkahn dress, 1973

Kevin Berkahn was one of a small number of bespoke designers in the 1970s. He specialised in flamboyant evening wear for daring women with plenty of money. Berkahn opened a shop in Sydney in the early 1970s, recognising that Australia had more people with the funds necessary to buy his garments. This out-there dress was worn at a fashion parade to celebrate the opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973.

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New Zealand Woman's Weekly

by Michael Willison

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Fashion and textile design – Creative freedom, 1970s and 1980s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/44301/kevin-berkahn-dress-1973 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 24 February 2014.