The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Netta Fuller and her husband Alec were long-term residents of Kew. As a boy, Alec had attended East Kew Primary School and was later highly involved in the Kew Presbyterian Church during the 1950s and 60s. Netta's passion was for historic clothing and its exhibition. In 1985, Netta Fuller and Elizabeth Pace launched a parade of garments sponsored by Kew Historical Society at Holy Trinity Church, Kew. The parade was called 'Downunder Dressmakers' and included a collection of over fifty items of clothing dating from 1800 to 1984. The collection included dresses, hats, scarfs, capes, sporting costumes etc. The core of the parade consisted of a collection of 19th century costumes worn by the ancestors of a Miss Gertrude Murray, a resident of Blackburn. In sourcing items for her collections, Netta Fuller collected costumes stored in old trunks and wardrobes, or even purchased from opportunity shops. (During the period in which she collected and exhibited costumes, the latter could often be a reliable source for the purchase of historic and aesthetically significant costumes.) Not satisfied with purchasing authentic costumes of the period, Netta also used these as models for artistic recreations. Following her retirement from both collecting and exhibiting, Netta Fuller donated a number of 19th Century garments to the Kew Historical Society's costume collection. A number of garments were parts of costumes such as bodices, while others were complete outfits. Some of the latter exhibit signs of old damage, however very few of the costumes had been modified to enable them to be worn in exhibitions. Provenance, apart from that the costumes were donated by Netta Fuller after 1985 is limited to donor information, although some of her donations may have originally been part of the collection owned by the Murray family. While the costumes are old and therefore historic, provenance is less important than the representativeness and/or rarity of the costumes. Similarly, the costumes need to be evaluated as a group and separately, considering their aesthetic and artistic significance as well a their age.Two piece olive green and gold shot silk dress comprised of a skirt and top. The very full skirt has a scalloped edge front panel with bands of grey/green silk ribbon. The scalloped panels seem to be backed with later lining fabric (sic). The bodice has decorative buttons at the front from the high round neck to the waist. The bodice, like the skirt has a scalloped panel at the front, which is edged with ribbon. netta fuller, australian fashion - 1860s, women's clothing - 1860s, dresses - 1860s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Shot silk purple ball gown, featuring a fitted silk bodice with puff sleeves and a wide full-length skirt. The dress has coloured guipure lace at the neck and the cuffs, which has been identified as being of the period. The brush braid on the hem has probably been replaced at a later date. Dated to 1899-1900. ball gowns - 1900s, australian fashion - 1900s, costume

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This gown is believed to have been owned and worn by a member of the Smart family of 'Turinville', in Barnard Grove, Kew.Two-piece dress comprised of a bodice and floor length skirt made of a soft, lightweight cerise coloured silk fabric. The bodice features a v-shaped rear neck. A wide velvet cummerbund is part of the outfit. Dated to c. 1901. (Measurements: Length 132 x Waist 62-73, Chest 76 cm)australian fashion - 1900s, ball gowns - 1900s, evening dresses, evening wear, women's clothing

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Black strapless satin evening dress with a ruched gold neckine. The outfit includes a fitted long sleeved black jacket.Label: SMARAGD EXCLUSIVE OF MELBOURNE. SIZE 12fashion - australia - melbourne, smaragd of melbourne, women's clothing, evening dresses, fashion design, clothing -- 1970s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Pale brown woven simulated fur coat by Otex of MelbourneLabel: BY OTEX MELBOURNE / WOVEN SIMULATED FUR / TYBER / ONLY NATURE CAN COMPETE / SIZE 12otex melbourne, fur coats, faux fur, fashion -- 1960s, fashion design

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.The design and fabric are representative of fashion styles and tastes in 1950s Melbourne.A classic 1950s sleeveless day dress featuring a narrow fitted waist and a full skirt. The v-necked fitted bodice is pleated while the full skirt has a wide gathered fold of fabric at the front. The white, green and pink fabric is a floral design with sprays of pink roses.australian fashion - 1950s, costumes - dresses, fashion design, fashion -- 1950s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.This dress, created by an unidentified designer, is a representative example of women's fashion in the 1950s.1950s mid-blue simulated silk day dress featuring a high round collar, buttoned opening at front, a narrow belted waist and full puffed sleeves.australian fashion - 1950s, women's clothing, dresses, fashion design, fashion -- 1950s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Black crepe bodice with front opening featuring numerous buttons, covered with the same fabric as the bodic. It has short sleeves and a square scalloped neck line.australian fashion - 1940s, costumes - bodices, fashion design, fashion -- 1940s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Three-piece outfit comprising: three quarter length one-piece black silk cocktail dress with an outer skirt of black tulle; black net bolero embroidered with pink sequins; and black silk circular cap embroidered with pink sequins women's clothing, evening dresses, australian fashion, evening ensembles

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Fashion (or clothing/costumes) in the collection was largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This short, beaded 'flapper' dress was worn by Mrs Udora Freame to a ball at the Hawthorn Town Hall in the 1920s. Donated by her daughter, the dress is the earliest item of fashion in the collection where provenance can be linked to a local civic event.Sleeveless black chiffon 'flapper' evening dress with v-neck. The dress is embroidered with silver thread using chain stitch and glass beads simulating Parisian jet.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1920s, evening dresses, udora freame, evening wear, flapper dresses, mayoral balls -- hawthorn (vic.)

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Long black satin dress with black beading on the wide collar and neckline. The sleeves cuffs have black lace at the cuffs.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1920s, evening dresses

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Long black fine silk velvet evening dress featuring a high rounded collar fastened at the rear of the neck with a number of black fabric covered buttons. The ends of the wide sleeves and the hem are raw and unsewnwomen's clothing, evening dresses, australian fashion

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Black silk velvet waist length evening jacket with beige silk lining. The jacket closed with a single large button at the front. It features narrow cuffs. The jacket (and or outfit) has been dated to the 1930s.women's clothing, evening wear, evening jackets, australian fashion - 1930s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This silk and lace evening dress was made for Lily Clara Wishart (Mayoress of Kew 1906-7) by her niece, Mary Clara Cresswell (nee Skewes), who according to the donor, Lily's great niece, was a 'high class dressmaker'. It is one of two items in the Fashion Collection owned and by Clara Wishart.Long black fine lace evening dress buttoned to the waist at rear. The machine made lace on net fabric features a leaf pattern. Long black silk taffeta shift matching the lace evening dress.women's clothing, evening dresses, evening wear, australian fashion, lily clara wishart

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This 1930s evening dress is one of a number of items donated by Teresa Mayer.Deep rust coloured three-quarter length crepe dress featuring extensive ruching on the bodice and to the short sleeves. A bow of the same fabric with hanging laces (sic) is attached at the neck. The garment has been dated to the 1930s.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1930s, day wear, day dresses

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This evening dress is one of a number of items donated by Teresa Mayer.Full length black lace evening dress with a fitted black silk lining. The ‘v’ necked gown has a very full skirt. The lace has an abstract floral pattern. The garment has been dated to the 1930s.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1930s, evening dresses, evening wear

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Long black velvet evening coat with an attached wide collar of brown fur. The same fur is used to border the long sleeves. The garment and or the attached fur would appear to be homemade.women's clothing, evening wear, australian fashion, evening coats, teresa mayer

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. Dress owned and worn by Dione McIntyre.Pale pink long woollen dress the skirt of which is embroidered above the hem with large woollen flowers of the same colour. Beneath the floral embroidery are long pink woollen tassles. women's clothing, australian fashion, evening dresses, dione mcintyre

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Cream crepe empire line evening dress. The bodice has a halter beck and is heavily beaded. The dress was purchased from Park Avenue Gowns of MelbourneLabel: Park Avenue Gowns, Melbourneevening dresses, fashion - melbourne -1960s, park avenue gowns, desley reid, fashion design, fashion -- 1960s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This polonaise is part of the Netta Fuller Collection.Netta Fuller and her husband Alec were long-term residents of Kew. As a boy, Alec had attended East Kew Primary School and was later highly involved in the Kew Presbyterian Church during the 1950s and 60s. Netta's passion was for historic clothing and its exhibition. In 1985, Netta Fuller and Elizabeth Pace launched a parade of garments sponsored by Kew Historical Society at Holy Trinity Church, Kew. The parade was called 'Downunder Dressmakers' and included a collection of over fifty items of clothing dating from 1800 to 1984. The collection included dresses, hats, scarfs, capes, sporting costumes etc. The core of the parade consisted of a collection of 19th century costumes worn by the ancestors of a Miss Gertrude Murray, a resident of Blackburn. In sourcing items for her collections, Netta Fuller collected costumes stored in old trunks and wardrobes, or even purchased from opportunity shops. (During the period in which she collected and exhibited costumes, the latter could often be a reliable source for the purchase of historic and aesthetically significant costumes.) Not satisfied with purchasing authentic costumes of the period, Netta also used these as models for artistic recreations. Following her retirement from both collecting and exhibiting, Netta Fuller donated a number of 19th Century garments to the Kew Historical Society's costume collection. A number of garments were parts of costumes such as bodices, while others were complete outfits. Some of the latter exhibit signs of old damage, however very few of the costumes had been modified to enable them to be worn in exhibitions. Provenance, apart from that the costumes were donated by Netta Fuller after 1985 is limited to donor information, although some of her donations may have originally been part of the collection owned by the Murray family. While the costumes are old and therefore historic, provenance is less important than the representativeness and/or rarity of the costumes. Similarly, the costumes need to be evaluated as a group and separately, considering their aesthetic and artistic significance as well a their age.Long train of cream, watered silk taffeta lined with silk net. The shattered silk train is believed to date to the 1880s. wedding dresses, trains, polonaises, netta fuller

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.This (part) wedding dress is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Netta Fuller.Very full cream silk skirt with Brussels lace used on the front and hem of the garment. At the front there is a separate panel of the same fabric. The skirt is believed to date from the 1890s.The skirt suffers from shattered silk.wedding dresses - 1890s, netta fuller, women's clothing

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Full length black lace evening dress with a fitted black silk lining. The ‘v’ necked gown has a very full skirt. The lace has an abstract floral pattern. The garment was previously dated to the 1930s.costumes, evening dresses, fashion - 1930s, fashion design