Need help with a Doris Geddes The little shop, Raffles Hotel Sigapore

[Jasmine Gattison]

Hello... The only information I found in regards to Doris Geddes is the Elizabeth Taylor story, a museum and a few purses. I have a beautiful dress and jacket set, I do have a couple of the buttons that fell off. I try not to handle it because of the Delicacy of the suit. Thank you

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Hello, what did you want to know about your ensemble? My guess is that Doris Geddes might be a dressmaker who operated out of the Raffles Hotel - guests would come and see her for custom fashions. You can replace self covered buttons by using excess material in the seam allowance or pockets, there are commercial companies who can make them for you or you can get kits from haberdashers.

Alternatively, you could move the buttons from the dress (assuming no mark is left) and attach to the jacket.

If you're after a dating, the set could be '60s but I've seen similar ones made in Singapore as recent as the late '70s - if you can provide information about what fabric it's made (and lined) with whether the zipper is nylon or metal it will help. Also: are there any other labels?

 

[lkranieri]

Hello... The only information I found in regards to Doris Geddes is the Elizabeth Taylor story, a museum and a few purses. I have a beautiful dress and jacket set, I do have a couple of the buttons that fell off. I try not to handle it because of the Delicacy of the suit. Thank you

THIS link tells us: "Doris Geddes, an Australian who ran the Little Shop at Raffles for 30 years from 1947, and famously dressed Elizabeth Taylor in 1957 (but perhaps just once, as the visiting actress declared the tailored costume to be too tight), is pictured with customers admiring her stock of frocks and dainty hats."

 

[lkranieri]

THIS link to a piece of the 1964 book City Portraits: A Guide to 60 of the World's Great Cities, by Mimi Sheraton, notes that: "...here too you will fine (sic) good men's tailors and the extremely beautiful home and fashion accessory shop of Doris Geddes, with fine imports from all over Asia and Europe." THIS link takes you to another travel book that notes: "...a few other shops close by merit a visit, particularly DORIS GEDDES' LITTLE SHOP in Raffles Hotel. This is beloved of travelers who want high fashion clothes with an exotic touch..." And THIS link to a 1967 Olson's Orient Guide notes: "DORIS GEDDES' LITTLE SHOP, women's apparel of the best quality. Relatively expensive, but the values are reassuring."