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

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 bridal gown, circa 1947, covered entirely with cream coloured lace. The gown has a cream silk lining. The dress is in poor condition due to the lace which is extensively torn/rotted on the bodice. There are a few tears in the lace of the skirt.costumes, wedding dresses, lace, fashion -- 1940s, 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. This wedding dress was worn by the grandmother of Val Warren.Raw silk wedding dress. The full length dress has lace on the bodice and long sleeves. Other decorative elements include finely pleated silk panels on the bodice, an insert on the skirt and on the cuffs of the sleeves The dress features extensive use of both utilitarian and decorative buttons that are covered in the same silk fabric as the dress. The final photograph shows two early repairs to the dress. Lydia Edwards in 'How to Read A Dress (Bloomsbury Academic, 2017), when describing a 1912 dress in the McCord Museum notes that: 'In 1911-12 the use of buttons for both fastening and decoration was extremely popular, the American women's magazine The Delineator declaring at the end of 1911 that "one cannot use buttons to liberally in the present mode".' (p.132)costumes, wedding dresses, women's fashion - 1910s, fashion design, fashion -- 1910s

The bridal coat was part of a wedding ensemble worn by Peg Young in 1939. The final two images in the carousel include a wedding photograph of Peg and her husband. A letter accompanying the donation on file describes the outfit as: "Rosemary [Peg] looked very nice indeed in a simple white satin dress that made her look very tall and slim. It had trimming round the neck, down the front and on the shoulders that looked like quilting, with a little gold in it, and she wore gold slippers and a lovely lace veil, lent by Auntie Nellie. She carried a large sheaf of bright red roses." Mrs Peg Young, a Kew resident was at one stage President of the Children's Book Council of Australia. She was also a member of the Kew Historical Society. The coat was donated by her daughter, Mrs Helen Tutt.Floor-length satin bridal coat with a buttoned full length opening at the front extending the length of the garment. The front of the coat is hand-quilted in an abstract design of arabesques. The buttons are covered with the same satin fabric as the coat. Accompanying the dress there is a photo of the couple on the steps of the unnamed church in London and a letter describing the event, including the coat.Transcript of accompanying letter: Red Cottage Mallory Road Hove 4 Sussex England July 21.39 Dear Faith I have been up to London today to Rosemary's (Peggy) wedding. Though you might like to hear about it. To my mind the one sad part was that your Uncle Bertie and your adopted sister could not be there. Daisy (Margaret) has been simply splendid in all she has done. Rosemary looks very nice indeed in a simple white satin dress that made her look very tall & slim. It had trimming round the neck down the front & on the shoulders that looked like quilting, with a little gold in it, & she wore gold slippers & a lovely lace veil lent by Auntie Nellie. She carried a large sheaf of bright red roses. Her two bridesmaids were Mary & Brenda. They wore the same bridesmaids dresses as they wore at their sister Peggy's wedding a few weeks ago. They were very pale blue satin, simply made, with long skirts & they had lovely little flat bouquets made of the heads of all sorts of flowers out in the gold holder which I am sending you & tied round the handle with gold ribbon. They had wreaths of the same flowers in their hair. Nevil gave Rosemary away."costumes, wedding dresses, wedding coats, peg young, helen tutt, fashion design, fashion -- united kingdom, fashion -- 1930s

Almost full-length portrait of young woman standing (facing viewer) wearing long red skirt and peaked cap, and holding a flat top tennis racquet. Indecipherable signature lower right corner. Materials: Paper, Pigment, Glass, Cardboard, Glue, Wood, Metaltennis

This afternoon dress was owned and first worn in 1875 by Alice (Henty) Hindson, the daughter of Francis Henty and Mary Ann (Lawrence) Henty. The outfit was worn in the same year as Alice's marriage to John Hindson at Trinity Church, East Melbourne, and may have formed part of her trousseau. Alice's father, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew. The Henty Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century clothing, including outerwear and underwear, was collected, stored and exhibited over time by female family members descended from Francis and Mary Ann Henty. During the twentieth century, items from the collection were modelled in two fashion parades by various descendants [1937, 1959]. The items in the collection are historically and aesthetically significant, with provenance provided by oral and written tradition within or held by the family. A number of the items in the collection are very rare survivors, and provide researchers with the evidence needed to reconstruct the lives of notable women in the Port Phillip District [later Victoria] during the nineteenth and early twentieth century.Alice (Henty) Hindson's afternoon dress is a two-piece, two-toned pink ensemble made of silk taffeta. The detailing is done with fine knife-pleated trims piped in ivory satin and decorated with ivory silk moiré bows on the bodice and skirt. The panelled peplum jacket is boned and the front button closure has hand-embroidered buttonholes with handmade covered buttons. The gathered full buttoned skirt falls into a train. The skirt is decorated with rows of ivory tulle corded lace and the hemline is edged with crisp fluted organza and tatted lace. Measurements (mm): BODICE: Girth - Neck 355.6, Chest 863.6, Waist 685.8, Hip 787.4, Cuff 304.8, Hem circumference 1422.4. Vertical - From neck to hem 546.1, Front waist to hem 241.3, Back neck to hem 609.6, Back waist to hem 355.6, Sleeve length 330.2. Horizontal - Neck to sleeve head 60, Underarm to underarm 419.1. SKIRT Girth - Waist 558.8, Hip 1473.2, Hem circumference 3911.6. Vertical - Front waist to hem 1092.2, Back waist to hem 1524. fashion -- 1870s, afternoon dresses, alice (henty) hindson, women's clothing

One of a pair of separate half-length studio portraits of an unidentified man and a woman photographed using the daguerreotype process. Both portraits are contained within pinchbeck frames, bound in brown-tooled leather cases, with red, cut-velvet binding. Each daguerreotype required an individual negative, presented to the sitter as a positive, and was not reproducible. Due to an exposure time that could extend to many minutes, people were often seated for portraits. Sitters were almost exclusively drawn from the middle to upper classes because of the cost of production of the photograph. It is assumed that the subjects of the two daguerreotypes were unidentified members of Gwen Steele's family. They are the earliest photographs in the pictures collection.Half-length studio portraits of an unidentified woman photographed using the daguerreotype process. The portrait is contained within a pinchbeck frame, bound in a brown-tooled leather cases, with red, cut-velvet binding. The portrait of the woman is notable for her centre-parted hairstyle with the fullness of the hair drawn into a single chignon at the base of the neck. This style set off the tilted-back angle of bonnets and hats. The seated woman wears a dark silk day dress with a voluminous skirt. The bodice is set-off by a large lace collar on its high neckline and at the cuffs. daguerreotype, portraits

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 gown is one of a number of items donated to the Collection by Rosemary-Vaughan Smith.Full length ivory satin evening gown, possibly used previously as a wedding dress. Inset figured brocade panel on front of skirt and bodice, with flared plain satin panels at sides. Bodice has a wide rounded neck decorated with bands of pleated satin, and broad satin shoulder straps. evening dresses, women's clothing, vaughan-smith collection, evening wear, australian 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.Pale pink lace ballerina length dress gathered at the waist to form a full skirt. The dress includes a belt of the same colour and fabricwomen's clothing, cocktail dresses, fashion and textiles collection, australian fashion - 1950s

Joseph Butterworth COOMBS (1842-1901), was an accountant who founded a successful mercantile trading company. At the time of his marriage to Caroline Mary MICHEL in 1869, Coombs had already purchased ten acres of Studley Park. The acreage included land on the west of Fenwick Street that extended along lower Stawell Street to the corner of Yarra Street, all of it connected directly to the Yarra environs. A right of way to Studley Park Road was on the title, though Coombs went on to purchase more land, some of which faced Studley Park Road. In addition to owning the Studley Park acreage, Coombs later acquired 1,201 acres of land abutting the Acheron River. While retaining the Kew property he became a Taggerty Councillor and was Shire President for a time. J.B. Coombs died at Acheron Station in 1901 (aged 59 years). A few months after, tenders were called to repair the Kew dwelling, the Fenwick Street property now appearing in records with the name ‘Hope Mansell’. Caroline Coombs remained at Hope Mansell until she died in 1924, survived by three sons and five daughters. Not long after her death, advertisements appeared for the sale of the Studley Park land. The sale seems to have been a mechanism for distribution of the Estate, as the following year the original ten acre holding was transferred to members of the family. The eldest daughter Mabel married William Younger who, with his brother Alexander, developed Younger and Mackie Courts, both south of Studley Park Road. [Research: Kerry Fairbank]In 1961, the granddaughter of Joseph and Caroline Coombs, Mabel Isola (Younger) Grattan, donated ten 19th century dresses and parasols to the Kew Historical Society. The costumes, now known as the 'Coombs Collection', are the earliest recorded items of clothing to enter the Society's collection. Each of the items in the Coombs Collection, of which this item forms a part, is historically, aesthetically and socially significant. As a collection, the costumes includes outstanding examples of morning wear, day dresses, wedding dresses, and clothing accessories, providing evidence of outstanding dressmaker skills in Victoria during the mid to late Victorian period. Two-piece royal blue heavy silk dress comprised of a tightly waisted top that extends below the waist at the front and the back, and a floor-length skirt. The full skirt and the sculpted fabric that is part of the top are designed to cover a bustle. The elaborately styled bodice is joined with fabric-covered buttons at centre front. The bodice is distinctively styled with the use silk velvet banding and tassles that extend the woven silk webbing. The outfit is in excellent condition apart from some wear on the velvet and the buttons.women's clothing, australian fashion, dresses, costumes, fashion & design, outerware

This dress was worn by Brighton's first female mayor, Councillor Di Lopez, to a Mayoral Ball held at Brighton Technical School in 1977. Diane Margaret Lewis completed a law degree at the University of Melbourne, later marrying one of her classmates, criminal lawyer Ramon (Ray) Lopez. When she decided to run for the Brighton City Council in 1975, she was seen as an outside chance. Undeterred, she rallied a small group of friends and supporters and set out on an extensive door-knocking campaign that won voters to her side and successfully unseated former mayor Keith Devenport. She went on to serve two terms on council from 1975 to 1981. Di initiated many local projects, including the creation of a bike path along Nepean Highway and the first Brighton Festival, while balancing family life and a demanding ‘day job’ as personal assistant to Victorian Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation Brian Dixon. She was a member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby and a champion for women’s representation, encouraging both Sally Allmand and Kate Harman to run for council (both were successfully elected). She advocated forcefully for an open, transparent local government in which ratepayers had the chance to participate and be heard. In 1976 Di became the first woman to hold the title of Mayor of Brighton, and she made it clear from the outset that she was going to do it her way. For the annual mayoral ball in 1977, ordinarily a staid traditional function, she chose a discotheque theme based on the Rod Stewart album Night on the Town, with a broad dress code of ‘black tie or jeans’: ‘You’ve got to get with the times,’ she said. ‘We want people to wear whatever they feel comfortable in.’ Di herself chose to attend in this knee-length chamois dress embellished with strings, ribbons, beads and feathers. It was both a fashion statement, exemplifying her colourful, flamboyant and forthright style, and a political one: a declaration of her intention to lead a progressive council, embracing the new and refusing to be hemmed in by dated traditions. In 2020 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to local government and to the community of Brighton.This dress has local historical significance for its association with Brighton's first female mayor, Councillor Di Lopez, who wore it to a Mayoral Ball in 1976. The dress exemplifies her flamboyant reputation, modern outlook and willingness to break norms. At the time, the dress was a radical choice for a Mayoral Ball, where women typically wore formal evening gowns. With her choice of dress, Cr Lopez was making a public statement, breaking away from dated traditions and announcing her intention to bring the Mayor's office into the 1970s. In this way, the dress also points to the wider social and political changes taking place both in Brighton and across Australia during the mid-1970s.Three quarter length chamois dress circa 1974. Machine stitched with a v-neck and full length sleeves and an uneven raw hem, the dress is decorated with narrow thongs of chamois embellished with red beads and blue feathers. The open-fronted bodice is laced with red ribbon and the skirt is decorated with a large blue wool cross stitch and a combination of blue wool and purple ribbon cross stitch. Made in the style of an Indian 'Wild West Dress'.di lopez, chamois, brighton, brighton council, brighton technical school, mayoral ball, 1970s, feminism

This nightgown is believed to have belonged to Mrs Thomas Anne Ward Cole, an early Brighton resident and wife of George Ward Cole. The item appears to have been made or altered to accommodate a pregnant belly, however purpose made maternity clothing was not common at this time. Mrs Ward-Cole’s six pregnancies took place in 1843, 1844, 1845, 1847, 1849 and 1851. The style of this garment in particular the shape of the sleeves would indicate that it is most likely to have been constructed in circa 1860, so whilst it appears to be a maternity item, and historically has been referred to as thus, this purpose cannot be confirmed. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and the family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time. They established a substantial home known as “St Ninians” at 10 Miller Street in 1841. The family reportedly entertained Melbourne’s first Royal visitor The Duke Of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria’s second son, at St Ninians in 1867. In later years St Ninians was subsequently subdivided and later demolishedA hand sewn ivory cotton muslin nightgown, c. 1842–1850. The bodice is made of delicately embroidered muslin in a floral design. The open flat collar features a scalloped lace frill underneath. The bodice fastens with thirteen mother of pearl buttons down the centre front. After the fourth button, the remaining buttons are concealed beneath a full gathered modesty skirt, which falls from just below the bust line. The modesty panel is secured horizontally across the bodice by six mother of pearl buttons. The sleeves finish over the back and palm of the hand in two flattened peaks. The front of the gown consisting of the modesty front is full length. The modesty gown at both sides joins two panels that are an integrated part of the bodice. At the centre back there is a very full gathered panel with lace trim that falls to create a train. It is semi-attached to the bodice with a top section secured with mother of pearl buttons and small ties. The purpose of this design feature is unknown. st ninians, george ward cole, brighton, night gown, thomas anne ward cole

This evening dress belonged to Clara Johnstone Miller (nee Bell, 1866-1910). Clara was the only daughter of Mr James Bell, a councillor of the Shire of Leigh (today a part of Golden Plains Shire) and owner of Woolbrook Homestead in Teesdale, near Geelong. In 1888, Clara married prominent businessman, racehorse owner, racing identity and pastoralist Septimus Miller (1854-1925). Septimus was the sixth of seven children born to Henry 'Money' Miller and Eliza Miller (nee Mattinson). 'Money' Miller was a well known financier and politician and reputedly one of Australia's wealthiest people in his time. In 1889, Clara and Septimus moved into the house 'Cantala' in Dandenong Road, Caulfield. They had one child, Gwendoline Stewart Miller, who died in 1902 at the age of thirteen of diabetes - a largely untreatable condition at the time (insulin would not be discovered until 1921). Clara died in 1910, aged only 44. Septimus subsequently married Helen (nee Henderson), with whom he had a son, Ronald (1915-1990). The Millers were buried in the Brighton General Cemetery in a large Gothic-style vault. Upon Clara's death, Septimus sent much of her clothing and Gwendoline's to her mother Mary Bell. Some of these items were passed down to two of Clara's nieces, Miss Mary Bell and Mrs Lois Lillies, who donated them to BHS around 1973.A yellow and lime green silk and net evening dress from c.1909. The bodice is constructed of a golden silk satin with an over bodice of a very soft gold net with soft gold and lime green embroidery decorated with flower and bow motif's. The neckline is bateau like in shape with the edge following the flowers of the lace design. The bodice is sleeveless with a loose detached cap that hangs down over the top of the arm with a lace covering. The under fabric of the bodice is shaped and lightly boned but the over lace is looser, nipping in at the waist where it joins the skirt. At the back, the bodice neckline scoops lower than the front with the lace overlay creating a v shape at the centre back. The bodice is secured with hooks and eyes and waist tapes. The skirt is flat fronted and floor length consisting of the same golden yellow silk with soft gold and lime green embroidered net over skirt. The lace net over skirt features larger motifs and greater embellishment towards the bottom of the skirt. The lace over lay also has an edge that follows the design of the lace rather than a straight edge. At the back the underskirt is flat and shaped but the over skirt is lightly gathered and loose hanging. The skirt finishes in a full skirt and a rounded, small train.woolbrook, septimus miller, cantala, henry 'money' miller, gwendoline miller, clara miller, 1900s fashion, caulfield, brighton general cemetery

This afternoon dress belonged to Clara Johnstone Miller (nee Bell, 1866-1910). Clara was the only daughter of Mr James Bell, a councillor of the Shire of Leigh (today a part of Golden Plains Shire) and owner of Woolbrook Homestead in Teesdale, near Geelong. In 1888, Clara married prominent businessman, racehorse owner, racing identity and pastoralist Septimus Miller (1854-1925). Septimus was the sixth of seven children born to Henry 'Money' Miller and Eliza Miller (nee Mattinson). 'Money' Miller was a well known financier and politician and reputedly one of Australia's wealthiest people in his time. In 1889, Clara and Septimus moved into the house 'Cantala' in Dandenong Road, Caulfield. They had one child, Gwendoline Stewart Miller, who died in 1902 at the age of thirteen of diabetes - a largely untreatable condition at the time (insulin would not be discovered until 1921). Clara died in 1910, aged only 44. Septimus subsequently married Helen (nee Henderson), with whom he had a son, Ronald (1915-1990). The Millers were buried in the Brighton General Cemetery in a large Gothic-style vault. Upon Clara's death, Septimus sent much of her clothing and Gwendoline's to her mother Mary Bell. Some of these items were passed down to two of Clara's nieces, Miss Mary Bell and Mrs Lois Lillies, who donated them to BHS around 1973.A salmon (pale orange pink) corded silk afternoon dress with orange beaded embellishments, consisting of a bodice (.1) and skirt (.2) from c.1890. The bodice features a high standing collar with triple pleated bone silk chiffon trim along the top line, under the chin. This same chiffon is also secured in two pieces gathered and secured under the collar and and at the waist adding volume over the bust line and partially obscuring the jacket closing. The chiffon is secured at the side into the main fabric of the bodice by the beaded embellishment. The pink seed beads are sewn in lines of five beads one after the other creating a diagonal design that tapers from the shoulder to the waist. The bodice is boned around the front and back and secured down the centre font by nineteen hook and eyes and additional cotton tapes. Further beading details the bottom centre front and base line of the bodice. The shoulders have been repaired with replacement fabric to match, from our records it appears that the repair work was performed in circa 1974 but no record exists of the original shoulder design and if the repair was an exact copy of the original. The repaired shoulders feature a small frill around the shoulder yoke and top of the arm. The sleeve is fitted and three quarter finishing just below the elbow. The base of the sleeve is also trimmed with the pink bead design and bone three pleat chiffon trim. The back of the bodice features shaped panels contouring the jacket neatly in at the waist and then splitting and splaying out over the fullness of the skirt. The skirt appears to have been floor or ankle length held at the waist by a wide waistband. The skirt openings have been altered from the original currently featuring two openings secured by press studs. The skirt is gathered to the waistband at front and back creating fullness. The lower part of the skirt features the same pink bead embellishment and additional beaded flowers and diagonal point edge detail.clara miller, woolbrook, septimus miller, henry 'money' miller, gwendoline miller, cantala, 1890s fashion, caulfield, brighton general cemetery

This dress is of uncertain provenance. BHS records indicate that it was owned by Marion Jane Ellen Devlin, nee Stokes (1845-1936), who married Oliver Devlin on 2 April 1877 in Victoria. The dress is believed to have been worn on the Bendigo goldfields circa 1878. It may have been worn as a wedding dress. However, additional documentation discovered in August 2019 suggest that the dress belonged to Margaret Cocking, nee Carr (1850-1936), who married Gustavus Cocking in Bendigo in 1877.A grey-green circa 1878 dress comprising a matching jacket and skirt. The jacket (.1) features a standing collar that gathers to a low point at the throat. This point is concealed behind a bow with raw edges which may not be original. The centre front of the jacket has been secured with nineteen concealed metal hook and button holes. The centre front features fifteen sets of single fabric covered glass buttons secured in a diagonal pattern and appearing as double headed buttons. From the shoulder through the body the jacket is shaped with decorative panels with grey silk detail. Beside these panels shaping into the waist and under the arm are a further two pleats. On the left side waist is a small pocket with decorative flap, grey silk trim and button. The base line of the jacket features a decorative horizontal panel that wraps around the jacket. The sleeve head is small and sits on the natural shoulder line with a slim fitting, curved, full length sleeve. At the base of the sleeve, there is a decorative panel reminiscent of a formal cuff, with a decorative turn back and two buttons. Secured underneath this turn back is a bow like decoration. From the back the jacket features a V shaped decoration, an extension of the front two decorative panels. From the shoulders the jacket is shaped by four panels curving tight into the waist and flaring out again to fullness of the bustle. These seams are also finished with decorative binding. This peplum-like shape features two decorative flaps and six covered buttons. The skirt (.2) is shaped to the waist with pleats and secures on the front left hand side, the original waistband and fastenings have been replaced. The skirt front features a large decorative panel of the same fabric that curves from the front at approximately shin length, upwards towards the back securing underneath the bustle decoration. A second panel, plus a pleated panel finish the hem of the skirt continuing around to the back. At the back the skirt features two deep pleats with a large decorative bow that would sit out over the bustle. The skirt is long featuring a small train at the back. The dress is lined in a brown waxed cotton.wedding dress, 1870s fashion, marion jane ellen stokes, oliver devlin, margaret carr, gustavus cocking, bendigo

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased this 1980s cocktail dress second hand around 2000 to wear as part of a Dame Edna Everage costume to a hen's party. A blue mid calf length polyester dress with prominent gathered and padded shoulders, horizontally ruched bodice, high scoop neckline, full length sleeves and dropped waist. The skirt is of plain blue polyester mock wrap style with ruched blue spiral detail on left leg seam of bodice to skirt. The dress secures at the centre back with a nylon zip and self covered button. The sleeve is lined with mauve / pink polyesterManufacturers label "Teena Varigos" "Size 14, To Fit Bust 90cm, Waist 70cm, Hip 95cm" "Do not iron pleating" "100% Polyester, Warm Iron, Dry Clean Only"teena varigos, costume party, cocktail dress, 1980s, dame edna everage, di reidie

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased this in 2012 at an auction of vintage clothing from the private collection of prominent Sydney fashion designer Lisa Ho, part of a wider sale of assets after Ho's business fell into deep debt. Ho began collecting vintage clothing and fabrics at the age of fifteen and her collection featured significant clothing items collected from around the world. For many years she drew on it as a source of design inspiration, particularly for print, in her highly successful fashion business. Di later wished she had purchased more at the auction!A full length slim fitting gown of gold metal thread and black thread self wave design fabric. The dress features a shawl collar, vertical pleat bodice, three panel, peaked front skirt. The dress secures with press studs at the centre front for modesty with a full left side opening secured by press studs. The sleeve features a front and back seam creating a squared shoulder head with fullness that is pleated in centre on the arm. the sleeve length is above the elbow. lisa ho, lisa ho collection, di reidie, vintage clothing, 1930s

Purchased from an opportunity shop, this dress is a stage costume bearing the label of Bonn & Mackenzie, a prominent UK costume designer from the 1950s to the 1970s. The dress appears to have been worn by June Bronhill (1929-2005), a prominent Australian opera singer and actress, whose name is handwritten on the label. Born June Mary Gough, she began using the stage name of Bronhill in 1952 in honour of her NSW home town of Broken Hill as a form of thanks to the local community who had helped raise money to send her overseas for professional training as a singer. Bronhill trained in London and gained early exposure with the English National Opera. She went on to star in many theatrical productions in Australia and the UK. She moved back to Australia permanently in 1976, and in 1980 was cast in her first television role as Mrs Crawford in the Australian version of 'Are You Being Served?'.Full-length short-sleeved dress of white cotton, lace and nylon, featuring elaborately ruffled sleeves and vertical stripes of lace on the skirt and bodice. The dress is open at the back, fastening with hooks and cotton ties to facilitate quick costume changes.Label, white cotton with red text: "BONN & MACKENZIE LTD. / TEMPLE BAR 1393". Handwritten underneath in black pen: "JUNE BRONHILL".june bronhill, bonn & mackenzie, theatre costume

Belonged to donor's aunt1960s navy blue fine silk shantung fabric dress with lace bodice and elbow length sleeves. Metal zip, hook& eye down back. A-line skirt with two front seams and pockets. Dress is below the knee length. Lined from above bust line in bodice with fine blue crepe fabric. Matching jacket of fine silk shantung with lace trim on collar& cuffs of full-length sleeves. Self-covered shantung 4 buttons and stitched buttonholes. La Petite label in jacket and underarm on dress.La Petite Model Frocks, 165 Collins St Melbourne.la petite

Doll maker Kammer and Reinhard bisque doll heads and bodies were designed by them, but most heads were manufactured by Simon & Halbig which is why heads bear both marks.Kammer and Reinhardt porcelain and cloth baby doll mould number 116A circa 1912. She has a porcelain head, forearms and lower legs and feet. The rest of her body is a stuffed material calico. Her legs are jointed at the knees. She is dressed in a long sleeved, extended christening like robe of cream broderie anglaise. The robe has decorative pintucking and lace on the bodice, sleeves, cuffs and skirt with a contrasting broderie anglaise hem. Part of a lace insert has become unstitched at the front. Underneath is a full petticoat of white cotton with pintucking and lace with a white broderie anglaise hem. Another full length petticoat of cream linen trimmed with lace is also underneath. She has a cream knitted singlet and knickers with cream knitted bootees. She has short blonde matted hair and wears a lace trimmed broderie anglaise bonnet with satin ribbons to match her robe.Initials K and R either side of a Star of David and the words Simon and Halbig below with the mould no 116/Atoys, dolls, porcelain

Ethel Bersey married James Wishart in 1910. Note: The bride in this photograph was originally identified as Ethel Bersey's sister Florence (Flossie) Bersey, but this seems unlikely as Flossie died in 1906 and did not marry. A second copy of this photograph is Registration no. 1534.Black and white studio portrait which shows a seated gentleman, who is wearing a suit, waistcoat, collar and tie, and has his hands resting on his lap. The young woman standing next to him is wearing a light-coloured full-length dress (or blouse and skirt), and a very large hat which has ribbon and tulle trimming and a brooch or jewel centre-front.On back: "I thought the hat was worth saving. / Mrs Bersey's daughter".ethel bersey, james wishart, weddings