AUSTRALIAN GOWN OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP 1992. ATHENA MAGIC

In 1992, Bateman Original Designs entered Athena Magic in the Australian Gown Of The Year.

Designed by Sheila Bateman, Athena Magic was entered in Section 2, “Post Haste” Summer Racewear, and placed 2nd from 10 entries. The design was made with particular attention to line, balance and movement.

Sheila wanted the dress to self-match, with the lines of the design continuing cleanly through the garment rather than being broken by seams or construction. This required careful cutting, placement and sewing so the finished piece looked intentional from every angle.

Athena Magic reflects Sheila’s standard of dressmaking: not only decorative, but controlled, balanced and properly finished. It remains an important early Bateman Original Designs archive piece from the 1992 Australian Gown Of The Year.

The archive images include the original program, professional Gown Of The Year photographs, a runway photograph, the judges sheet and the script form submitted for entry, completed by Sheila Bateman. Additional images show Helen Bateman-Greville wearing Athena Magic to Oaks Day.