This sash comes with a floral printed wool gabardine dress (2010-01233) which was designed by French designer Emanuel Ungaro for his Spring/Summer, Oriental series collection in the late 1980s. The silhouette of the dress is typical of the late 1980s, with broad shoulders and a sash to help the wearer accentuate her waist and achieve an hourglass figure. The dress has a mandarin collar with knotted buttons. This is an example of a Western designer who was inspired by Asian garments, in particular, the cheongsam. Ungaro worked for Cristobal Balenciaga and later Andre Courreges. He eventually established his own firm in 1965.Designer labels became popular amongst the increasingly affluent middle and working class women in Singapore, especially from the 1980s onwards. As more women climbed the corporate ladder, their purchasing power increased and the clothes they wore reflected their increasing wealth and changing status. They bought these garments from retailers such as Glamourette, which brought in designer labels.
