Benson & Hedges Fashion Design Awards 1974

French grey is the colour for this design by Trish Gregory of Timaru...

– Reporter Naomi Trigg describes an award-winning entry from Trish Gregory

It's beautiful and supple ... it's beautifully finished, too.

– Judge Austin Chevy inspects a lambskin coat

The colours are vivid and the fabric's rich. But not many are as bold as this cardinal red evening suit...

– Reporter Naomi Trigg is particulary taken with a men's evening suit, complete with train

It depends; I think it's getting much better than it was. I think it's a matter of being sort of aware of what's happening and this comes through the department stores, through the magazines, through women writers, through television shows like this...cause fashion's . . . . . I think it's part of expressing your individuality, and I don't think we should all look like sort of mice, or sheep. Do you know what I mean?...

– Judge and former fashion model Robyn Garland on how fashionable Australasian women are in 1974

The show was the country’s most spectacular live television event and one of the largest outside broadcasts of its kind. Hundreds of people, comprising broadcasting and fashion personnel, were involved in its presentation.

– Excerpt about the Benson and Hedges Fashion Awards from New Zealand Fashion Museum website