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Vinka Lucas

​Vinka Lucas grew up in Yugoslavia, (now Croatia) attending the Academy of Dress Design in Zagreb. After immigrating to New Zealand in 1951, she established a business, first in Hamilton, then by the end of the 1960s in Auckland, specializing in evening and bridal dress using elaborate fabrics imported from Europe as well as local fabrics.

Vinka Lucas (1932-2020) grew up in Yugoslavia (now Croatia), attending the Academy of Dress Design in Zagreb. After immigrating to New Zealand in 1951, she established a business specializing in evening and bridal dress using elaborate fabrics imported from Europe, many through Atkin Textiles her husband David’s business.

Vinka Lucas’ selection of ornate, colourful fabrics set her apart from many of her competitors and made her a favourite with Eden Hore. Vinka sold her designs under a number of labels including Maree de Maru, After Five and Vinka Lucas labels. By the end of the 1970s, the Lucas’s focused their business on the Middle Eastern market.

In 1980, the couple opened Vinka Lucas Designer Collections Salon, in partnership with Suzan Trading and Contracting in Jeddah. Vinka’s prodigious design output is represented by at least 30 dresses in the EHCO collection.

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