Green cheongsam with floral motif

Title
Green cheongsam with floral motif
Creator
Year/Period
1960s - 1970s
Region
Singapore
Dimension
Object size: 109 x 53 cm
Accession No.
2008-00133
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs Anita Benson, daughter of Amy Ede nee Laycock

This is a green short-sleeve cheongsam decorated with floral motif allover. The flap on the right hand side is secured by press studs. It is typical of the nipped-in waist style to accentuate the curvaceous figure of women. This cheongsam belonged to Amy Ede nee Laycock, the adoptive daughter of John Laycock who was instrumental in founding the Singapore Progressive Party in 1947 and later the Liberal Socialist Party in 1956. Amy Ede nee Laycock was one of the earliest women in Singapore to join politics. She won a seat in the Municipal Council in the 1949 elections when she was 26 years old. She quit politics in the mid-1950s, and helped John Laycock to run his orchid garden in Mandai. She has 3 orchid hybrids Aerides Amy, Vanda Amy and Dendrobium Amy Ede named after her.