dress

Doves was a small clothing chain, initially Norwich based, which sold one-off pieces made on the premises. Their dresses found popularity amongst the local hippy movement, who were often looking for something unusual to wear. A number of their early designs were built from patterns featured on textile samples found in the cloth catalogue for the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851. This was also a source for many Laura Ashley designs, hence some shared similarity between the two companies' designs. This piece was purchased by the donor, Judith M Crouch, to wear before her marraige at a National Trust property at Stourhead, Whiltshire. Judith attended a period costumed performance as part of the audience and wore this specially, adding the buttons herself from an older garment as the dress was purchased buttonless. Despite their short time trading, Doves are an integral part of recent Norfolk history.