Gold coloured satin ribbon covering a slipper shape - one bigger, one smaller. The smaller slipper would once have been attached to the larger, but now loose threads remain but the two are separate. A gold coloured satin ribbon rosette is attached to the toe of the slipper.A 53 cm length of ribbon, folded to form a 15 cm loop, and then attached as a single ribbon to the slipper.costume accessories, clothes accessories, golden wedding charm

Drawstring bag - embroidered cotton - embroidered "fern - like" pattern woven into the fabric. Brown cotton lining, with gold coloured cotton lining the upper edge of the bag. Casing 1 cm wide, sewn 4.5 cm from top edge. Black cord threaded through the casing. Machine stitched.costume, female, drawstring bag

White embroidered nylon. Tiny yoke topped with a Peter Pan collar, edged with gathered fine lace. Puff sleeves - pleated at shoulder, and gathered into a 1.75cm band, edged with fine, gathered lace. Gathered lace and two white ribbon( .5cm wide) bows define the yoke.Skirt 40 cm long, edged with embroidery and scalloped hemline. Two pearl buttons fasten the back of the yoke. Dress has been made to take advantage of the embroidered fabric of the train of Merle's own wedding gown.Merle Houlden made this gown for her first child, Bronwyn, using fabric from the lower tier of the train of her own wedding gown. Bri-nylon sleeveless, and embroidered nylon skirt, edged with fine lace (on the frill of the skirt). Skirt has an 8 cm frill, attached with an embroidered band of ribbon insertion. The ribbon insert is finished with two small .5cm ribbon bows. Both dress and petticoat have been made to take advantage of the embroidered fabric of Merle's own wedding dress train.costume, children's, christening dress

Fabric orange blossom flowers, and one green fabric leaf wired onto a lapel charm. "Wire stems" covered with green paper. A memento of Alice and Charlie Geuer's wedding in the 1880's. Tiny stamens complete the flowers. Alice and Charlie were Merle Houlden's Grandparents.costume accessories, female, decorative lapel charm

Embroidered silk tulle with an embroidered geometric pattern - .75 cm X .05 cm. 20 cm wide deep frill at hemline. Frill is made of the same fabric, but has a border of embroidered flowers edging the frill.A narrow band of satin ribbon, .05cm wide is stitched midway on the frill. The same frill outlines a deep V shaped neckline front and back, starting 8 cms from the shoulder along the puff sleeves. The main sheer fabric extends to a high round neckline, defined with a band of ribbon and a 3 cm wide frill at the throat. Back neckline fastens with metal hook, and handstitched loop, and a zip extends on the main body of fabric. Back of skirt is gathered, and front has three pleats either side of centre to give fullness to the skirt. Fine elastic marks a frill at the elbow length sleeves, finished with a ribbon bow. Bodice and skirt are lined with silk taffeta fabric, including a frilled skirt, bodice extends to a V shaped waistline. The dress mounted on silk taffeta, extended to a train at the back. Kerryn's dress was made by her mother, Merle Houlden, as a labour of love. Marriage of Kerryn Houlden and Bruce Roberts - April 1985.costume, female, wedding dress

Deep brown seal skin fur handbag on a silver frame. A side clasp opens the bag - with a silver engraved knob and keyhole. Another swing silver clasp closes the bag. Handle is covered with fur,Frame is decorated with embossed relief work, including some faces. Bag is lined with satin, and has one side pocket. Lining shows damage.Frame marked: DEP.H&B Rd. No. 25436. Patent Applied For. DEP. H&B.costume accessories, female, handbag

Merle made her own dress,as she had been a Home Economics Teacher, specializing in dressmaking. Dress is of silk chiffon, over tree bark satin, made on princess lines, with a Dior bow at the neckline. The brief sleeved bodice was cut with an oval neckline, trimmed with a flat bow. Fullness for the circular skirt was drawn to the back of the seven panel dress. A watteau pleat, train of embroidered nylon fell from high at the back of the bodice (refer 11400.493). A short tulle veil was held in place by a triple Dior bow. Skirt extends to a small train at back.Refer 11400.492.costume, female, wedding dress

Three layers of tulle, cut at graduating lengths, in a semi-circle shape. Attached to a ribbon covered headband and finished with a triple - layered flat Dior bow, - loops of the bow also finished in graduating lengths - each loop of the bow is in double thickness organza.costume, female, veil and headband

Rectangular storage box with three compartments. May have been used for collar and sleeve cuff studs, or a jewellery or sewing box. Full length hinged lid. Cream in colour. Black lettering on lid. Old box 74.Made in England (on base) stamped into base-RMO in black ink on lid Top RH corner.U2656 written in black oc clear nailpolish on underside top left cornercostume accessories, haberdashery, sewing box

Handmade ivory coloured cotton full length night gown. Front has yoke of diagonal pieces of lace with cut work and floral patterns, squares, embroidered flowers with horizontal lace pieces across shoulders. The top edge of the skirt has an edge of lace with square shapes and centre flowers of cut work across the front and back. The back has five 1cm tucks on either side of centre that extend 5cm below the lace edge. The high front neckline is square and the high back neckline is rounded. The neckline is edged with cotton broderie lace and insert lace with cream coloured satin ribbon threaded through. Below the decorative lace strip at the front is a section of fine pintucking 12cm on either side of centre and 9cm below lace strip. The night dress has a front opening extending 31cm from the throat. It has a placket with two button holes 10cm and 20cm from the throat. Two buttons on other side. No fastening at throat. French side seams. Long set-in sleeves with two rows of lace and three rows of pintucks extending from shoulder down top of sleeve to wrist. A piece of insert lace at wrist. A frilled cuff of broderie lace widening from 9cm at inside seam to 12cm at outside edge, machine stitched.costume, female underwear, nightgown

Light and dark grey fabric with small geometric patterns. Empire line dress with long sleeves. The bodice has two panels with diagonal pleating to shape the bust line. There are two pleated pieces at the shoulders with three pleats (12cm) into which raglan sleeves are attached. The front RHS panel crosses over the left to form a V neck line. The back has a high round neck line and plain back with two darts from the waist. The long sleeves taper to the waist with a top seam. Two small pleats gather the fabric at the top of the wrist/sleeve. The skirt is made up of nine pieces -a front slightly flared panel with 2 gored panels on either side. The back is made up of four gored panels. From the level of the waist, the skirt is lined with stiffened paper like lining. From the waist to the under bodice seam it is not lined. Centre back opening has 29cm zipper at centre back beginning 25cm below the neckline.Tag stitched inside back neckline Styled by Walton Gowns Melbourne All Rayoncostume, female daywear, dress

Royal blue rayon knee length dress made of rayon fabric. Bodice is sleeveless with three shoe string straps on each side. Straps have a decorative knot at shoulder joining the three straps. The neckline is an inverted U shape across the front. The bodice is lined with the royal blue rayon fabric. The front of the bodice has two pleated panels running diagonally from the top with the right side overlapping diagonally. The skirt is an A line shape attached to the bodice with two pleats on either side of the front and back. The skirt is lined with brown paper stiffening fabric. A 9cm horizontal band with three pleats is attached above the waist line. On each pleat is a row of decorative buttons (6, 5, 6) made of strings of clear glass beads coiled into a spiral shape. The central back opening has a 36cm zipper.Tag sown inside back of bodice on RHS - Styled by Jeffrey of Melbourne All Rayoncostume, female daywear, dress

Pink, purple, green and grey floral patterned dress. Rayon fabric with smooth surface. Sleeveless bodice with wide shoulder straps. The shoulder straps widen from 6cm at the front across the shoulders to attach at either side of centre at 14cm. Back of the bodice is made of four straight pieces from waist to above bust line. The front of the bodice is made from three pieces with centre piece dipping. Narrow at front because gathered in to U shape at centre front at waist. Across the bust line are two pieces of fabric with horizontal folds to create fullness. The pieces are joined at centre front with a decorative knot of fabric. The bodice and shoulder straps are lined with cream coloured net. Two darts at front and two at back from waist. The full length skirt is made from two pieces at the front and the back is made from four pieces. Back of the bodice inverted at skirt. Back opening at centre back with 26cm metal zipper. Hook and eye above zipper. On either side of centre back are two folded pieces of gathered fabric attached at waistline to create the effect of a large bow with tails. Attached at the waist on each hip are two padded sections of fabric 39cm x 10cm, gathered at waist.costume, female daywear, dress

Full length sleeveless dress of dark blue fabric with light blue all over embossed floral pattern. Front of bodice made from one piece with two darts from the waist. Back same as above. Square neckline formed by pleated section of fabric (upward facing knife pleats) across the front. The pleating continues on the shoulder panels at the front. 13cm wide at shoulders. The shoulder pieces continue to attach at the back bodice but widen to form a rounded collar effect on either side. At centre back where collar joins, a folded piece of fabric is attached to form two tails of a bow falling past the waist (39cm). A decorative metal clasp with three rows of diamantes is attached at the top of the bow, 7cm below the neckline. On the front bodice there are two decorative rows of diamantes below the shoulders where the shoulder piece joins the pleated section across the front. Front and back bodice dip slightly at centre. Side opening on LHS with 36cm metal zipper from armhole. Hook and eye at top. Fabric piping around waistline front and back. Skirt made of four pieces. Centre and side seams. Gathered into waist (bodice) with series of small pleats random (uneven) knife and box flat seams. Large stitches visible on front of bodice where pleated section is visible. 2cm wide strips of elastic hand stitched inside each shoulder section, attaching front and backs of bodice. Check collar attached.costume, female evening, dress

Cream coloured knee length dress of crimplene fabric. Fabric has all over pattern of horizontal rows of looped knot pattern. Fabric also has silver thread woven into fabric. Dress has a high round neckline both front and back. Dress is A line, with front having side darts at bust line and two 30cm darts – vertical on either side of centre front from bust line to hip line. At lower end of each dart is a false pocket flap (11cm x 5cm). Back opening from centre neckline has 54cm nylon zipper with hook and loop at neckline. Back has two vertical darts on either side of centre back. Dress has short set-in cap sleeves. Part of ensemble with 11400.521.Top inside back below neckline: Fashioned by Gina of Melbourne Registered TMS Crimplene. Made from terylene polyester fibre. Wash by hand or machine in warm water. Rinse thoroughly. Gently squeeze out surplus water. Drip dry.costume, female daywear, dress

A Line cream coloured knee length coat of crimplene fabric. Fabric has all over pattern of horizontal rows of looped knot pattern. Fabric also has silver thread woven into fabric. High round neck with stand-up collar - 4.3cm. Two press studs at top below collar, plus one hook and loop to close the collar. Full length front opening with 4.5cm band. Five 2cm fabric covered buttons – evenly spaced from neckline to below hip line. Front has two side darts at bust line. Two false pocket flaps (14cm x 5cm) set at 45° angle to side seams at hem line. Long straight set in sleeves slightly tapered to the wrist. Part of ensemble with 11400.520.Top inside back below neckline: Fashioned by Gina of Melbourne Registered TMS Crimplene. Made from terylene polyester fibre. Wash by hand or machine in warm water. Rinse thoroughly. Gently squeeze out surplus water. Drip dry.costume, female daywear, coat

Sleeveless mid blue below the knee length dress of rayon fabric. Shallow scooped front neckline. Wide shoulders extend over top of arm. Front of bodice in two parts. Top yoke is attached to 12cm midriff section. Midriff section has wide section with two side sections. Front yoke section is attached to midriff section with two small pleats under bust on either side of centre. Across the centre seam of yoke and midriff is a decorative strip of light blue lace of open floral pattern. The back of the bodice is of two pieces with centre seam attached at the waist with vertical darts on either side of centre. Back opening with 50cm metal zipper beginning 9.5cm below the rounded back neckline. Skirt is made of two pieces joined at front and back centre. Front centre panel 16cm with centre seam. From side of centre panel, the skirt is box pleated (4cm). Six box pleats on either side attached to waist of bodice. Pleats continue to back centre seam. Decorative piping attached around waistline. Machine stitched. Unlined. Faced at neck and sleeves with same fabric. Part of ensemble with 11400.523.Created by ZANKO of Melbournecostume, female daywear, dress

Mid blue waist length long sleeved jacket to be worn over 11400.522 11cm fold over collar that extends to waistline with crossover front and scalloped lapels. Right over left crossover (3.5cm) fastened with one fabric covered 2.4cm button with centre circle and narrow edge. Lapels have decorative cut out lace motifs attached – match lace across midriff of dress. Ten motifs evenly spaced around collar. Front pieces have vertical darts from hem under bust. Back of bodice has two pieces with centre seam. Vertical dart on either side of the centre seam. Unlined. Machine made. Kimono sleeves. Three quarter length. Gusset under each arm 12 x 13cm. Part of ensemble with 11400.522.Created by ZANKO of Melbournecostume, female daywear, coat

Royal blue rayon and silk short sleeved knee length dress. Back is made of two pieces with centre seam. Inverted pleat at centre 18cm above hem. Two vertical darts have been used on either side of the centre back (30cm). Both darts have been unstitched. Short set in sleeves. Front has bodice crossover to form V neck.15 cm crossover Midriff piece and skirt in one piece – straight. Bodice crossover pieces joined to midriff. Dull blue lace fabric lined with royal blue rayon, joined to midriff piece – layered horizontally with 4 tucks of 3cm showing. Attached to skirt. Skirt one piece with two knife pleats on either side of centre. LHS opening with 26cm metal zipper from 8cm below sleeve. Linen look fabric. Part of ensemble with 11400.525Created by ZANKO of Melbournecostume, female daywear, dress

Royal blue rayon long sleeved coat to wear with 11400.524. Fully lined with blue rayon lining, ¾ length set in sleeves with 10cm fold back (fully lined) cuffs. Front opening with no fastening or crossover. Fold back shawl collar. Front darts running from centre shoulder – 24cm vertically Internal pocket of lining fabric. Pockets on either side at hip level. Angled 15 degrees away from side seam with a band along opening edge – 16 cm. Back made from one piece. A line shape. Slightly flared at hem. Machine stitched. Part of ensemble with 11400.524.Created by ZANKO of Melbournecostume, female daywear, coat

White cotton drill men’s tennis shorts. Fly front with seven buttons - four plastic, three pearl. Four pleats in front at waist band (two on each side) and two darts in the back (one each side). Rear bound pocket with button closing. Two side pockets. Five belt loops on 5 cm waist band.Written in ink on inside of front pleat Ellison 47350costume, male, tennis shorts

Cotton and polyester burgundy fleece fabric with yellow/gold school logo on left chest. Raglan sleeves with ribbed cuffs. Ribbed band at lower edge and neckline. V shaped panel at neck line centre front – 9 cm deep. No side seams in body of garment. Tubular knit fabric.Tag Exacto The Authentic Windcheater Size 22 Chest 110 cm 44costume, male, school wear

Silk organza wedding dress with a creamy satin strapless bodice under silk organza with a silk organza circular skirt, which was worn over a cream satin under-skirt (see 11400.529) Bodice has a dropped waistline, sitting at the hipline. Skirt gathers to the bodice and has a draped organza panel, passing through two satin and organza pleated loops at the hipline. Extending across the back from these loops is a 28cm wide tie, which extends to the hemline to be 44cm wide, and forming a tiny train. 41 covered buttons and loops extend from the neckline to below the hips. Sheer sleeves, lily pointed at the wrist, fastened with 7 covered buttons and loops. Floral lace motifs are scattered on bodice and front of skirt. Lace outlines the sweetheart neckline, and wrists. Eight V shaped panels are inserted into the lower skirt to produce the circular shape handkerchief hem. Skirt extends to a small train at back. Documents and photo linked to file. Wedding dress worn at marriage of Barbara Johnson to her first husband Ian Bulte. Part of wedding dress collection 11400.528, 11400.53029, 11400.530, 11400.531.costume, female ceremonial, wedding dress

Cream satin, full circle skirt, gathered onto a 4cm waistband. A rear opening has a 22cm placket, with metal zipper, and two metal hook and eye fasteners on the waistband. Handkerchief hem around the circular skirt. Two full length flat seams, one of which has a small blue ribbon bow sewn in for luck. Part of wedding dress collection 11400.528, 11400.529, 11400.530, 11400.531costume, female ceremonial, wedding skirt

Wire-framed circlet. Frame covered in cotton netting. Frame has a scalloped design 3cms high. The over lapping scallops are covered in small pearl beads. Around the base of the head dress are attached net covered “lilies” each with a tear-drop shaped pearl bead at the centre. An elastic band is attached to hold the head dress firmly to the head. The head dress originally also held a veil. Cream in colour. Part of wedding dress collection 11400.528, 11400.53029, 11400.530, 11400.531 Wedding dress worn at marriage of Barbara Johnson to her first husband Ian Bulte.costume, female ceremonial, wedding head dress

Small satin covered horseshoe, with a decorative frilled netting at front. Three 1.5cm ribbon bows are attached to the front. Three small chiffon “roses” and a wax orange blossom bud on a paper covered wire are attached to the front. Top of the horseshoe has once had a ribbon loop to carry over the bride’s arm, but this has been badly damaged. Part of wedding dress collection 11400.528, 11400.53029, 11400.530, 11400.531 Wedding dress worn at marriage of Barbara Johnson to her first husband Ian Bulte.costume, female ceremonial, wedding horse shoe

Mauve silk organza fabric containing fragrant lavender seeds, tied into a circular ball with a 5cm pale green satin ribbon tied in a bow.4cm frill at the top of the ball. Used at marriage of Barbara Johnson to her first husband Ian Bulte.costume accessories, clothing accessories, lavender bag for wedding

Pink, self-stripe -2cm stripe with a woven floral motif, alternated with a 4cm triple stripe with 2cm spacing between each stripe. Boat shaped neckline, with a .5cm rouleau tie on left side. Sleeveless. Draped and ruched 7cm band at hip line. Two tier, knife pleated panels to the hemline. Dropped and bloused bodice. Handkerchief hem. Wedding dress worn at marriage of Barbara Johnson to her second husband John Johnson on 26.1.1985.Stitches Plus Gold Label 12 Care Instructions – Wash separately. Do not soak. Do not bleach. Do not wring. Warm hand wash. Warm rinse well. Dry in shade. Warm iron. Dry cleanable. Polyester.costume, female ceremonial, wedding dress

Soft pink, woven lace net sleeveless ladies’ nightgown. Scoop neckline with a pink ribbon bow at centre front neckline. 2cm wide lace edging around neckline, arm holes and hemline. Centre back overlocked seam. Neckline is slightly gathered as is the top of the arm holes, giving a slightly puffed effect. The shoulder, gathered panel is trimmed with the 2cm lace edging. Knee length. Fully lined with pink nylon fabric. Purchased from Fosseys. New label still attached.EMCO LADDERPROOF LINGERIE Made in Australia. Washing Instructions. All included on attached swing tag.costume, female underwear, nightgown

Sheer bri-nylon, over a heavier weight bri-nylon lining. Sleeveless and with a scoop neckline. A braid of padded flowers and leaves outlines the neckline and forms the straps that pass over the shoulders. This braid also forms a “yoke” from which the main body of the nightgown falls in soft gathers. Outer bri-nylon layer is edged with a one cm wide lace edging. Price on swing tag: 65 shillings. Negligee with double layer of soft pink bri-nylon. Scooped neckline with a 6cm wide yoke. Yoke has a braid of padded flowers and leaves that outlines the neckline that is appliquéd as is the matching nightgown. Two pearl buttons fasten the yoke at the centre front. Full length front opening. Double layer short “puff” sleeves are gathered at the shoulder and have an elastic casing at lower edge. Outer layer of sleeve is longer than lining, giving a soft “puff” effect. Hemline has a stitched “shell” finish.Hanro SW (Small Women’s) 100% bri-nylon On swing tag: Created by Hanro, Quality lingerie. Swiss Inspired.costume, female underwear, nightgown