- By Tyra Harrison, AUT student majoring in journalism
Proud east Auckland grandmother Paula Greenstreet and her granddaughter Sophie Wilton-Greenstreet shared a special moment when the teenager wore the same ballgown Paula had worn in 1968.
Sophie recently wore the 57-year-old dress to the Macleans College Ball.
The 17-year-old’s decision sparked admiration from friends, teachers, and even strangers.
Her grandmother says she’s held onto it all these years for good reason.
“I couldn’t get rid of the dress. It held such a special memory, and I always thought it might come to use again.”
The dress had been carefully stored in a protective garment bag in Paula’s wardrobe for decades.
It was originally worn to Paula’s political party ball, an event she remembers vividly.
“Seeing Sophie wear it brought all those memories flooding back.”
Sophie says she was inspired to wear the dress after seeing it during a visit to her grandmother’s house.
“I thought it was a nice idea to wear the dress because it would be different and kind of cool.
“Everyone was complimenting the dress and thought it was a lovely gesture.”
The gown needed a few updates to bring it back to life. Minor alterations were made to the seams, and the fabric underwent a professional clean to restore its original charm.
On the night of the ball, Sophie styled the dress with black sandal heels and delicate black earrings.
“She looked like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Paula says with pride.
“She looked gorgeous.”
The dress holds deep sentimental value and Paula was overcome with emotion seeing Sophie wear it.
Watching her granddaughter bring new life to a beloved dress was deeply emotional.
The moment became a beautiful celebration of family history, an heirloom passed down not just in fabric, but in memory, love, and shared joy.
