This going away dress was worn by Eileen Riddell at the time of her wedding to Francis. Her husband-to-be had been offered a job as a manager at the Opunake Dairy Factory and although only 21, it wasn't his age that was holding him back but his unmarried status. He quickly travelled over to Whanganui and proposed to his girlfriend Eileen and she accepted him.

Although growing up in a poor family in Whanganui during the Depression, Eileen was determined to have the most stylish dress for her big day. She travelled up to Auckland especially to choose it and wore it paired with a fresh red rose.