Collecting Klein: Lucy Pethick
Lucy Pethick shares her personal story of a Bernat Klein 1970s outfit made by her mother, Lis Unsworth.
This long skirt and matching halterneck top were made by my late mum, Lis Unsworth. She made most of her clothes when we were growing up.
Bernat Klein Screen-Printed Knitted Polyester fabric known as Diolen.
When she wasn’t working as a science teacher, she was sewing or knitting. She never sat still.
The fabric for this outfit was bought in Edinburgh, in either Jenners or Binns department stores in the late 60s or early 70s.
The colours are very ‘mum’, as she loved greens and turquoise, and so would have been immediately drawn to these fabrics. I think the hi-tech nature of the fabric would also have appealed to her at that time.
I have distinct memories of Mum’s clothes at this time. When I was about five or six, I loved to see her getting dressed-up to go out - painted nails and make-up - her perfume and a special evening bag.
In the early 90s I wore the outfit a couple of times, and I know she was so pleased to see me wear them. I have kept these pieces as they are intrinsic to my memory of her.
