Designer Games Jane & Christine's Golden Opportunity

How Victory Was Theirs For The Taking

- Julie Jacobson

One was a shy but determined Auckland teen who had not only modelled for some of New Zealand’s top fashion labels but also had many of the leading clothing design companies of the day knocking on her door.

The other was a 17-year-old small-town beauty queen just out of high school and thrust into an event she describes as probably the defining moment of her life.

Fast-forward 45 years and Jane Daniels, one of our most lauded fashion designers, and Dunedin mayoral hopeful Christine Garey (nee Gillies) are having a grand old time as they swap anecdotes and memories of the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, attended by the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

The two women have been brought together by Te Papa to record their stories for posterity.

Jane designed the uniforms worn by the “victory hostesses” who carried the medals, while former hostess Christine has gifted her entire outfit – three jumpsuits, two capes, a bomber jacket, hat, shoes and an evening gown (designed by Eileen Halley) to the museum. They won’t immediately go on display, but may be used in future exhibits.

A designer with a preternatural talent, Jane had already had a string of successes, including winning a competition to design a gown for Miss New Zealand, when she was awarded the $250 first prize in a nationwide contest sponsored by Christchurch’s Cantwell Creations, to design the uniform for the hostesses. She was just 19.

“My father read about the Games competition in the newspaper and said maybe I should have a go,” she recalls.