to be the first woman in New Zealand to wear trousers, which by 1940 she did almost exclusively. She recalled being spat upon on Queen Street for wearing trousers, saying it was one of the most frightening experiences of her life. The designs of Nancy Hudson made the label very successful in the 1940s, aided by US servicemen stationed in New Zealand purchasing clothes for their girlfriends. As Julia put it, "as soon as we saw a Yankee uniform walking through the door, we were sure of a sale." The store was redecorated in pink and cream with sliding-mirror cabinets; garments were made in a nearby workroom, on the second floor of 26 Durham St West, which was connected to the shop floor by an intercom. Julia held a winter and spring 'opening' each year. These were major events, as former Trilby Yates designer Kate Lambourne recalled:"I was pushed aside and all but stepped on. Women in full bling fighting over a garment – and in one case a dress was torn apart. Julia would watch from her office chuckling away at the behaviour downstairs." Post-war years Trilby Yates was the starting place for many designers, such as Hall Ludlow, who joined in 1945. Julia claimed Ludlow was "the first man in the country to make dresses". Nancy Hudson left Trilby Yates in the late 1940s to work in Australia, and was replaced by June Gould ( Todd), and then Maxine Sigglecoe. By the 1950s, Digsy Yates was a cutter and designer; when she left to get married, Julia retired. The business closed in the early 1950s, and staff found work at Emma Knuckey Gowns or Violet Gowns. Ata Yates started a dressmaking business in Te Awamutu. Digsy kept working as a dressmaker into the 1970s with her daughter, who was also named Trilby. Julia travelled the world extensively, and died in her 90s. References New Zealand fashion Companies based in Auckland