The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. This form of bobbin lace is made in Malta. It is a guipure style of lace. Maltese lace is worked as a continuous width tape lace on a tall, thin, upright lace pillow called a "Trajbu" and the Bobbins are called "Combini" . Bigger pieces are made of two or more parts sewn together. Lace made in Malta was originally needle lace, from the 16th to the 19th century, when the economic depression in the islands nearly led to the extinction of lacemaking there. But in the mid 1800s, Lady Hamilton Chichester sent lacemakers from Genoa to Malta. They used the old needle lace patterns and turned them into bobbin lace, which was quicker. It was not long after its introduction that the Maltese lace developed its own style from Genoese lace. Maltese lace was shown at The Great Exhibition of 1851 and it became popular in Britain. The style was copied by lacemakers in the English Midlands, and it was one of the sources for Bedfordshire lace. Maltese lace usually has the following characteristics which are useful for identification: It is usually made from cream silk. There is often the 8 pointed Maltese cross as part of the pattern, worked in whole or cloth stitch.The pattern may also have closely worked leaves known as “wheat ears” or “oats”. These are plump and rounded in shape, rather than the long narrow leaves of other types of bobbin lace. Maltese lace edging. It shows the Wheat ears, characteristic of Maltese lacelace, maltese lace, lace tape

Robin Kelly was born Robin Vandersluys in Mary Street, Kew. As a child, she sang in backyard concerts run with her brother, Leslie. The family moved to Deepdene in 1949 and Robin joined church and school choirs. Later she was to study classical singing with Stella Power, modern singing with Jack White, TV Presentation with Natalie Raine of Crawford Productions and acting/singing with Jessie Matthews. Following her victory in a talent quest at the Orama Ballroom, she was invited to join the Orama Big Band with singers Harry Cox and Arlene Forrest. She also sang with the Kerm Jones Jazz Band at Power House and with Frank Johnson's Jazz Band at Jazz Junction. Robin became resident band vocalist at the historic Federal Hotel in Collins Street with the Rudi Laquer Trio. She also sang at The Savoy Plaza with the George Cadman Trio. A year later she became resident vocalist at the Ress Oriental Hotel with the Lennie Holmes Trio. Later, Robin married pianist Peter Jones, singing under the name 'Robin Vanser' in clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales. She was booked for a Vietnam War tour and also sang in Tahiti. Returning to Melbourne, her agent booked her to appear in shows in Tasmania including West Point Casino and Melbourne country venues. Another agent, John Bishop, booked her to do floor shows in Melbourne, including Xmas Seasons at the Hampton Hotel where she entertained audiences with her comedy and audience participation routines. In 1971, Robin Kelly retired to run her Robin Hood Antiques business in Canterbury, during which time she was married to tenor Glenn Kelly. Later she joined Sing Australia Camberwell Choir, performing as a soloist at their Melbourne Town Hall Concert.The Vandersluys-Kelly Collection of photographs, costumes and musical performance memorabilia was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Robin Denise Kelly in 2018. The collection is an important record of stage and recorded performances in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. This new nationally-focused and artistically significant collection augments and contextualises the local performing arts materials in our collection. Royal blue sequinned lace with taffeta lining, halter neck, full-length sheath with blue chiffon drops from back to floor. The dress was worn by Robin Vanser (aka Robin Kelly nee Vandersluys) in live performances in the 1960s, including as Guest Artist, Wentworth Hotel Police Association Ball, Sydney, 1966.performing arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, performance costumes, floor show dresses

Princess lace flower mat made in Bruges from collection of Nan WarnerCream lace square with ornate lace motifs in each corner and lace edged.lace, handmade, bruges, nan warner

Lace doily owned by a member of the Piesse family of Kew. Later owned by Margaret Hollis (nee Piesse) of Castlemaine.Lace doilylace, doilies

Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century focused on the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture. Embroidery and crochet work provided a much needed creative outlet for someSeven pieces of lace of fine cotton possibly dyed or stained. All but one are straight edged. .1 is scalloped.lace handcraft crochet needlework

An excellent example of Australian ladies fashion of the time.Exceptional two piece dress with fitted and boned bodice and bustle skirt and train. Bodice features many panels and internal whaleboning with cotton lining. Waist tape to secure. Pointed waistband to the exterior, trimmed in panels of velvet and lace inserts. Pleated sleeves and high, stand up collar with white cotton insert. Row of metal hooks and eyes to secure at the centre front, covered with a row of small metal and enamel buttons with butterfly design (all present) and hand finished button holes. Another row of hooks and eyes over the top. Skirt is full with the gathers focused on the centre back with a row of cartridge pleats and metal hooks and eyes to secure at the waist. Row of cotton tape sits under the hips to be gathered into the desired fullness. Ornamental panels of velvet provide a faux wrap styling to the front. Underskirt of silk faille with a box pleated trim to the hem. Underneath is a third hem finished in a row of white cambric and lace trim. Train falls from the waist and displays the same hem treatments as the dress. The dress has been mostly machine sewn but with large amounts of hand sewn finishing.none

A long round piece of hand-crocheted lace. It is a white/ cream colour and may have been an edging for a round tablecloth.lace handcraft

Aqua coloured, wool lace, long evening gown.Aqua coloured, wool lace, long evening gownHaffenden / LONDONfashion, textile mills, lace

One of a group of items including lace and crochet collars, a chid's dress and a wedding dress donated by KHS member, Kathryn (Kate) Gwynne Reeve (nee Marx) that belonged to members of her family. A jabot is a pleated frill of cloth or lace attached down the centre front of a woman's blouse or dress.Irish lace jabot. H 31.5 cm / W 35 cmjabots, lace

Lace tablecloth owned by a member of the Piesse family of Kew. Later owned by Margaret Hollis (nee Piesse) of Castlemaine.Square linen tablecloth bordered with a wide band of machine-made lace.tablecloths, lace

Erstine Schlisweg married William Bosse in Germany in 1860, later settled in Nhill districtSettlers in Nhillc 1860 Three piece silk & lace wedding ensemble handmade in Germany, consisting of a silk full length skirt with lace & ribbon trim which hugs the waist, flows into a small train at the back; the high round neck, sleeveless bodice/top tucks into the skirt, is silk with pleats down either side of a lace panel in front; cape is silk, slightly gathered so it elegantly flows over the shoulders, finishing below the hips, is trimmed with lace around the neck and bottom. Lace & ribbon trims wedding dress, william bosse, erstine schlisweg, nhill, german - textiles - handmade

Long coffee coloured wool lace evening gown with long sleeves and short train. According to the donor (see correspondence in supp. file), this gown was made from Australian wool woven in Bradford and made up in Paris. It was given to the Melbourne Legacy Wives Association by Mr Ken Clarke (former head of the Wool Board and a Legatee) for use in a parade of garments by the Legacy Wives Association.Long coffee coloured wool lace evening gown with long sleeves and short train. Bodice of long coffee coloured wool lace evening gown with long sleeves and short train.fashion, lace

Two spools of white lace threadHarris Lace Thread Flax No. 70 2 Cordhandcrafts, lacemaking

The Centenary of Warrnambool in 1947 drew crowds of 20000. It was generally felt that the celebrations excelled anything that had been seen in the city in the last 100 years. There were numerous activities held over the weekend including an elaborate street parade which was followed by joining the 4500 children at sports and picnic celebrations at the showgrounds. The Warrnambool and District Turf club also held a race meeting to aid the Hospital and raised 740 pounds. It was estimated that 20000 attended the finale bonfire and fireworks in Albert Park. This is a hand made item to commemorate the occasion. This item has local historical, artistic and social significance as it relates to a major event in the history of the city.Crocheted rectangular with angled corners, doyley with Warrnambool centenary 1847- 1947 worked in pattern in centre of piece. Cream linen.Warrnambool 1847 Centenary 1947warrnambool, warrnambool centenary , warrnambool centenary 1947, centenary doyley 1947,

A report on the marriage of Marilyn and John Hill. [1973] Marilyn's maiden name was Greig and she lived in Carwarp Street Macleod. Digital copy of newspaper article, black text and image.hill family

Tells the life story of Florence Henderson (Hayes) nee Howard. The text is based on Florence's own writing and expanded by her family. The final text was approved by Florence prior to her death in 2010. A personal story of life in Melbourne during the 20th century.128 p., illus. (some col.). Paperback.Inscribed on title page "Presented to the Greensborough Historical Society by Bryan Henderson."florence howard, florence henderson, florence hayes

Hardcoverarchitecture, australian architecture, cast iron lacework, design, walsh st library

Paper program; the program contains brief biographies and photographs of the cast.athenaeum theatre, program, arsenic and old lace, melbourne theatre company, joseph kesselring

Gift of Mrs Beth Sinclair, 1999

Very fine crocheted doilydoily, battenburg lace

Colour photograph of cast iron in Avoca, Victoriaavoca, cast iron lace, hotel

Covers were used in the early 20th century to protect milk and sugar from flying insectsSquare net cover edged with alternate blue and white beads. A central bow is surrounded with a circular pattern at the edges. Beads inserted in crotched edgehandicrafts, food protection, jug covers, bowl cover

heidelberg theatre company inc., 391, 2012

Produced and acted by members of the City of Heidelberg Repertory Group (now Heidelberg Theatre Company) and all supporting areas including set design, set building, lighting and sound design and operation, costumes, front of house, ticket sales, publicity and administration were undertaken by members of the City of Heidelberg Repertory Group now (Heidelberg Theatre Company).All items in good condition1953, 10, htc, director geoffrey dean, playwright aimee stuart

1989, 251, robert tuttleby

Cricketer W.G. Grace said the City Oval was the 'most English' of any grounds he had played on in Australia. The City Ova Grandstand was constructed in 1898 to the designs of Clegg, Kell and Miller. The arched roof is supported by iron columns with cast iron brackets. Three squat lanterns are a feature of the roof, and support flagpoles. The cast iron balustrading at the front of the grandstand features a sunflower pattern, and the upper tiered section covers dressing rooms and internal stairways. Registered by Heritage Victoria, it is significant as a large and intact grandstand. The design, especially the roof, is unique in Victoria and the setting is enhanced by the ancillary ticket boxes and nearby mature trees. It was classifed by the National Trust on 11 June 1981. Colour photograph of the iron work at the Ballarat City Oval Grandstand.grandstand, ballarat city oval, cast iron, iron lace