Story: Clothing and footwear manufacturing

Importing clothes (2nd of 2)

Importing clothes

Clothing and drapery together made up the largest category of imports into New Zealand in the 19th century. Many storekeepers imported directly – including Walter Mace Clark of Levin, who opened this business in 1894, according to the sign in this 1898 photograph. The well-dressed people in front of the store are (left to right) William Clark, Walter Mace Clark, Frank Phillips, Maud Clark (Walter’s wife) and daughter Edna.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-089189; F
Photograph by W. McGuire

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jane Tolerton, 'Clothing and footwear manufacturing - Māori and colonial clothing', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/23952/importing-clothes (accessed 30 April 2024)

Story by Jane Tolerton, published 11 Mar 2010