Gwen - MEMENTO Dress

This made-to-order high quality, reversible dress features a mid-weight, buttery soft natural cotton/linen blend with distressed and frayed seams, printed with the striking artworks of talented 19th century Welsh artist Gwen John.

Included with the dress is a matching clutch, fabric-matched mending patches, and a selection of 19th century inspired slow-fashion & sewing activist patches to showcase your support of independent slow fashion. These items are made from the dress offcuts and are included with the purchase of your dress ☺️

This unconventional, striking design will spark conversation, outlast fleeting trends, and remain a treasured wardrobe staple for many years to come.

One size fits most - see garment measurements below:

• BUST 130cm
• BICEP 40cm
• FRONT LENGTH 82cm
• HIP 140cm

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Gwen John (1876–1939): The Artist Who Demanded to Be Seen

"I paint a good deal, but I don't often get a picture done—that requires, for me, a very long time of a quiet mind"

Gwendolen Mary John was a Welsh painter whose quiet revolution challenged everything the art world expected from women. 

Working with a simple palette of ochres, greys, and muted blues, she created portraits of women that showed unconventional psychological depth. Her works could not be described as decorative society portraits, but rather studies of women in quiet contemplation, hands folded, gazes turned inward. Through her "female gaze," she transformed traditional portrait subjects into agents with their own deep and unknowable narratives.

Despite exhibiting in prestigious venues, Gwen John was systematically overshadowed during her lifetime. For decades after her death in 1939, Gwen John remained footnoted as "Augustus John's sister, but feminist art historians of the 1970s worked to uncover her true significance. Augustus himself had predicted this reversal: "In 50 years' time I will be known as the brother of Gwen John." He was right.

For me, Gwen John’s legacy embodies MEMENTO’s mission: to remember the brilliant women whose contributions were diminished by history, but whose artistic vision proved impossible to erase. 

I hope that in wearing her image and her beautiful artworks, you too will say “I see you, Gwen”.

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Designed and made by Meg in The Patch, Australia. Printed in Thornbury by NextState Print on 94% cotton, 6% linen certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (11-29208). megsmithmakes and Next State Print are Ethical Clothing Australia accredited.