When I was young I wanted to follow in the career footsteps of Harry Butler and David Attenborough, I also wanted to follow in the creativity and fashion footsteps of Kate Bush and Spandau Ballet! So, I studied Zoology at Adelaide University and obtained my first job as a Scientific Officer in the now defunct, South Australian Department of Environment and Planning. However, I found government work very boring so started to dream up other things. This was 1987. The video clip that most inspired my fashion sense was “To cut a long story short” by Spandau Ballet. I was heavily into late victorian imagery. Hence when I laid my eyes on this coat in May of that year I felt the fantasy could come alive! The boutique was solely Evelyn Neis couture and was on the first or second floor of what is now the Myer Building in Rundle Mall. The coat was $575, which made me go back and look a few times and frighten the willies out of my mum and grandmother. After much deliberation I decided to choose this particular coat because it was more delicate in colour and felt more romantic.
My first outing in the full ensemble (including a shoulder bag made by my mum for my high school social in 1982, and a costume brooch, or my great grandmas gold and sapphire brooch, and silver charm bracelet gifted and collected over years by my Nan, oh and a hanky with embroidery around the edges by my Nan is still in pocket!) was Frank Falco’s 21st Birthday, which I attended with my boyfriend at the time, Simon Hackett. Frank went on to build a technology business that sold to MYOB in 2000.
In 1989 I had a portrait taken in the outfit, 5×7 photo – which I have in storage.
I can no longer fit in the Laura Ashley outfit!! Oh, the pain of middle age. 🙂
Evelyn Neis is quintessential 1980’s, and I did bump into other women at outings with a coat on too, but they were all uniquely designed so no embarrassment.
Big Blue Chips 
hi I Evelyn Neis nd red your story. I am so pleased that my creation gave u so much pleasure. I am still designing even so became side tracked with interior styling and styled houses for magazines and create French furnishing. by restoring and painting plieces. however designing has never left me and now I am restarting with gipsy bag ponchos jackets and kaftans. . will restart by end of this year and all on the internet. may contact me on facebook
How exciting! I will look you up. So coincidental, I just bought a book on interior decorating, and am playing with fabrics and designs using digital photography. If you see me I am Bloomin’ Arty on Facebook I will pop by.
I have replied in a comment here! 🤗