Dress stall at The Women's Exhibition

A dress stall at The Women's Exhibition, May 1909.  The 'Women's Exhibition and Sale of Works in the Colours', was organised by the Women's Social and Political Union to publicise the 'Votes for Women' cause and raise funds for the campaign. Over fifty stalls, decorated in purple, white and green displayed a variety of items for sale that had been donated or made by Suffragettes. To capitalise on the fund raising potential of the event every stall was expected to display goods at least to the value of £100. Within the exhibition there were two stalls selling dresses. One of these, run by the Marylebone branch of the WSPU was devoted entirely to the sale of 'summer dresses, whilst the other sold  'beautiful and artistic day and evening dresses and coats' given by Amy Kotze. In total the Marylebone stall raised over £161 for the campaign 'war chest' whilst Miss Kotze raised just over £50. This is one of several posed images taken by the photographer Christina Broom at the exhibition, and is most likely to depict the stall run by Amy Kotze.