This nightgown belonged to Toula Mavrokefalos Black, nee Raftopoulos (1892-1976). Born in Ithaca, Toula's family migrated to Romania when she was only a baby. She learned to sew as a child while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. In 1914, Toula emigrated to Australia with her husband Constantine Mavrokefalos. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Her daughter Olga Black spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years. BHS holds a collection of garments and textiles made by the women of Olga's family, spanning four generations.Women's cream cotton sleeveless nightgown. Cutwork embroidery on bodice. Blue stain under one arm.nightgown, toula black, toula mavrokefalos, 1900s

This wedding dress was worn by Grace Hamilton-Smith (née Ellwood) at her marriage ceremony. Grace married John Hamilton-Smith on the 31st May 1941 at the Presbyterian St David's Church in Albury. The wedding breakfast that followed was held at the Albury Hotel in Kiewa Street.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner and represents the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A white slipper satin wedding dress with structured shoulders and bodice, embroidered with cornelli lace and studded with diamante. wedding, marriage, dress, wedding dress, satin, 1940s, christianity, wodonga, albury, albury wodonga

One of a collection of fourteen items of protective wear and household textiles donated by Lisa Sylvan, a long-term resident of Kew, Five of the items are homemade aprons made and worn by her mother. Of the seven pinafores, three identical but differently sized pinafores were made in her parents' factory, while the other three are handmade. The handmade aprons and pinafores are representative samples of women's work, possibly from published patterns, using fabrics originally deigned for dresses. Typically, contrasting fabrics and colours were selected to provide visual interest. The donation also includes a hand embroidered linen supper cloth and a commercially produced 'birds of Australia' printed table cloth. Most of the collection derives from the 1950s.Although not uncommon, hand-made protective clothing in the form of aprons and pinafores often represents samples and styles of 'women's work' using remnant fabrics often designed for other purposes. While generally utilitarian, women found means of gracing these items by the use brightly coloured fabric or patterns, the positioning of pockets and the use of contrasting fabrics to provide visual interest.Navy blue and white pinafore picked out with sections of plain blue fabric on the pocket, waist and bodice.Label: "Taniwha / Quality Will Tell"protective clothing, handmade clothing, costume accessories, lisa sylvan, pinafores, fashion design, women's clothing -- 1960s, fashion -- 1960s

Grace James, the creator of the items in the Grace James collection, designed and created costumes over a 19 year period (1969-1988) for her daughter Ceri. The collection of clothing ranges from evening wear to knitted garments. All the items display exemplary dressmaking skills. The designs are of the period and reflect evolving fashions of the time. Some items are copies of published designs whereas others are original creations. The collection was donated in 2006.While most of the items in the Fashion & Design Collection of the Kew Historical Society are commercially designed items of clothing, there are also items made by home dressmakers. Many of these exhibit outstanding design knowledge and technical skills. A large and important group of these items of women's clothing is contained in the Grace James collection of outfits created for the dressmaker's daughter. The items have additional significance due to information about the purpose of the creation and the date when it was constructed.Full-length cream silk taffeta bridesmaid’s dress. Same colour lace on the upper bodice and sleeves. australian fashion, grace james collection, bridesmaid's dresses, grace james, fashion design, fashion -- 1970s

Charlotte Maria (Carrie) Gee was born in South Africa in 1891 to parents Joseph Brindley and Anne Elizabeth Gee. She married James Grenville Smith (son of George and Emma Smith, née Keys), and died at Linton in 1948, age 57.Black and white photograph of a young woman wearing long sleeved, high necked gown with ribbed bodice."Yrs sincerely Carrie 1905"carrie (charlotte) smith, carrie (charlotte) gee

This dress belonged to Mrs Lillias Parker (nee Johnston, 1820-1904). Born in England, Lillias was married in London in 1844 to Samson Parker (c. 1820-1886). The couple lived in Bendigo, Victoria for much of their lives, with Samson first arriving around 1853 and establishing a business with Samuel Macord as tent makers and fruiterers. He later had a successful business as a hat and cap manufacturer and a sewing machine agent. Lillias' obituary suggests that she was one of the first women settlers to live in Bendigo and noted her reputation for philanthropy and her interest in the welfare of the blind and vision impaired, having herself experienced loss of sight many years before.Two piece day dress of mulberry figured silk. The dress comprises a separate bodice (.1) and skirt (.2). The bodice fastens centre front with fabric covered shank buttons and has twelve bones encased along the interior seams and darts. Two piece fitted sleeve and high stand collar. Bodice is backed with a caramel coloured printed cotton. The skirt has a slight train and is backed with a caramel coloured twill-woven cotton. lillias parker, 1890s, bendigo, goldfields

Elizabeth Morrison, was born in 1874 and died in 1963, aged 89 years. She was the schoolteacher at Warrigal until she married the donor's grandfather and moved to Melbourne to take up residence with him. Her husband Edward was a porter on the train from Melbourne to Adelaide. Together they had three children: two boys and a girl. The donor's father was the youngest who was born in 1911.  The eldest son, Kenneth Morrison, was a Monsignor in the Catholic Church, and an Air Force Chaplain during the Second World War, while the daughter was a spinster who owned a few haberdashery and children’s clothing stores. The donor's father had a newsagency in Bridge Road, Richmond. He and his wife lived in Carson Street, Kew for about 50 years and had four children, two of whom were to become lawyers, another a surgeon and the final child social worker/family therapist. The donor's father lived until he was 100 years of age.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 costume, which may have been used as a mourning dress is comprised of a matching heavy black silk skirt and top. The styling of the short bodice is accentuated by pleating and by the use of spirals of Parisian jet (black glass beads) on the bodice and cuffs. Chiffon lace is attached to the cuffs and is of the period. The dress is made of silk damask with a woven design of joined lines and circles. The rigidity of the fitted bodice is achieved by the use of baleen and by a heavy striped cotton fabric. The wide skirt, in contrast, has a stiffened brown cotton lining. There is a small insertion on the inside of the bodice that may have been used for a watch. The dress is in excellent condition. elizabeth morrison, australian fashion - 1890s, women's clothing

sepia photo on cream board. Lady in long, light coloured gown. Corsage on bodice. Deep frill to bodice and to edge of sleeves. Holding book on lap. Seated on bamboo chair. Table and greenery in background against brick wall. R DERMER SMITH BULL STREET BENDIGOR. Dermer Smith, Bull Street, Bendigoperson, individual, female portrait

Long sleeveless dress. Empire line bodice. Skirt pale aqua background with lurex spots in shades of aqua. Deep aqua ribbon under the bust line with low and diamondé clip in a circle shape. Bodice is pale aqua silk with deeper aqua sequins around neckline.costume, female, handcrafts, dressmaking

Worn by patients at Sunbury Asylum. The calico/flannel petticoats were standard issue up to the 1930s.Bodice unbleached cotton, sleeveless, fastened at back with four metal buttons (one missing), skirt grey flannel.Partially legible "F7" in black ink on left front shoulder - stamp or stencil.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

White lawn bust bodice with Torchon lace at V neck line and sleeves. Drawstring waist. Buttoned frontcostume, female underwear

Cream christening gown with silk underskirt. Fine lace and mesh dress with puff sleeves and white ribbon at bodice.costume, infants'

Wedding dress of Isabella Margaret Fitzgerald (nee Colliver) married 11 April 1934 to Robert Frederick Fitzgerald. Reception held at Young's Café, Hogan Street, Tatura.Satin & Lace gown, cream colour, Round neckline with lace bodice and sleeves with satin insert. Floor lengthwedding dress, isabella margaret fitzgerald, robert frederick fitzgerald, isabella margaret colliver, young's cafe tatura, tatura weddings

This dress was worn by Brighton model Coral Triplett when she married John Knowles at St John's Church, Toorak, on 18 June 1966. Made from beaded wool lace, it was commissioned by the Australian Wool Board for the Gown of the Year competition and made by Jinoel, a high-end Melbourne fashion house run by husband and wife team Jill and Noel Kemmelfield.White French wool lace wedding gown with low neckline and high empire waist. Bodice embroidered with beads.wedding dress, 1960s, coral triplett, coral knowles, john knowles, jinoel, australian wool board, gown of the year, wool lace

Possibly worn at wedding of Elizabeth Jane ('Lil') Hartnell to Stephen Robinson Turner, 1885. Bodice of wedding dress - TEX-0013Clothing from early Kilmore family, the Hartnells.Ivory silk underskirt. Padded ruffle hem flaring out at back. Tearing along sides, lateral tearing down back coinciding with staining. Mould present (inactive).wedding, hartnell, turner collection

Cream lace sleeveless wedding dress, V neck. Bodice lined with satin in four pieces. Upper piece forms part of neckline. Full length unlined skirt - slightly gathered. Piping around waistline. Train at back. Back opening with six fabric covered buttons and loops. (top half of bodice). Four unmatched press studs on back of bodice. Lining torn away from back opening. Opening at back of skirt has torn edges. Hem is edged with lace.costume, female, wedding dress

Clothing. Grey silk boned bodice, grey silk '' off the shoulder '' scooped neckline. Short cap sleeves finished with 5 tucks- middle tuck of a grey satin fabric. Sleeves set into bodice with a fine piping. Deep V shaping at front and back waist. Metal hook and hand stitched eyelets down front opening. Laced with silk ribbon at centre back. V shaped decorative yoke - 6 cms to peak, at neckline. Bodice fully lined with calico.costume, female, grey silk boned bodice

Fine white cotton round neckline edged with lace. Three lace panels on centre bodice. Long ties are stitched down at the centre of the gown, with an embroidered cotton lace overlay, defining the bodice and skirt. Narrow pleats between the three lace panels, give fullness to the front bodice. Long sleeves are edged with narrow lace, and slight gathering gives the impression of a cuff. A six cm band of cotton lace edges the hemline. Six cm wide band of lace at hemline.costume, children's, night gown

Clothing. Floor length silk costume. Purple silk bodice front and back with 16 cm slit at centre back from neckline. Round neckline edged with pink satin binding. Unshaped bodice dips to dropped waistline. Bright green silk skirt gathered slightly onto bodice. Triangular pieces of green silk gathered onto arm holes to form sleeves. The sleeve is open along the top edge and point of triangle ends underneath the wrist. No fastenings. No shaping.costume, female, floor length green silk costume

Ladies black boned bodice of brocade fabric with floral pattern. Crossover front opening with internal centre fastened with thirteen metal hooks and eyes.Crossover section fastened on LHS with seven metal hooks and eyes covered by overlapping panel. Front of bodice is decorated with dense patterns of small black beads and black sequins. There are three vertical panels of beading. The centre panel is bordered with gathered ruffles of black ribbon (one cm wide). The overlapping edges of the side panels of the bodice are edged with gathered ruffles of black ribbon. The front panels of the bodice are lined with black cotton fabric. The back of the bodice is plain. The bodice has a straight edge at waist level with a cotton tape hem. The lower section of the bodice is boned with ten fabric cased bones distributed across the front and back, attached vertically from the waistband. A fabric belt (three cms wide) is attached at centre back four cm above the waist, inside the bodice. The left hand end of the belt has a metal buckle ( 3cmX2cm). The bodice has a 7cm stand-up collar fastened above the left shoulder with three metal hooks and eyes. The collar is densely decorated with small black beads and black sequins. At each shoulder is an epaulette decorated with beads and sequins and edged with one cm gathered ribbon ruffles. The long sleeves are shaped at the elbows with four cm beaded cuffs fastened with two metal hooks and eyes. Above the cuff is a four cm fabric flounce, a row of gathered ribbon ruffle (one cm) and a three cm row of beading and sequins. Sleeves are unlined.costume, female, ladies black beaded boned bodice.

Grace James, the creator of the items in the Grace James collection, designed and created costumes over a 19 year period (1969-1988) for her daughter Ceri. The collection of clothing ranges from evening wear to knitted garments. All the items display exemplary dressmaking skills. The designs are of the period and reflect evolving fashions of the time. Some items are copies of published designs whereas others are original creations. The collection was donated in 2006.While most of the items in the Fashion & Design Collection of the Kew Historical Society are commercially designed items of clothing, there are also items made by home dressmakers. Many of these exhibit outstanding design knowledge and technical skills. A large and important group of these items of women's clothing is contained in the Grace James collection of outfits created for the dressmaker's daughter. The items have additional significance due to information about the purpose of the creation and the date when it was constructed.Three piece brown outfit comprising a long dress, a separate bodice and a belt of scarf. The outfit is made of a synthetic fabric. The long plain brown dress has been designed with a matching bodice that features a tan trim; the wide belt/scarf is striped. Brown silk purse with brass fittingsgrace james, women's clothing, australian fashion 1969-1988, dressmakers - surrey hills (vic), fashion -- 1970s, 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 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

Displayed at History House. Item cleaned and starched by Anne Grant in 1993.White cotton and lace. Delicate stitch and cut-out work at hem and bottom third of gown and bodice. Capped sleeves.

Worn by patients at Sunbury Asylum.Petticoat, bodice unbleached cotton, sleeveless and fastened at back with four metal buttons. Skirt deep reddish brown flannel."F7" handwritten on shoulder in black ink.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

The dress belonged to Mrs Christina Cock (nee Clay) 25 Dec 1887 - 22 May 2002 the mother of the donor.1920s White voile dress. Maygar sleeves, pin tucked bodice and lace insertions. Hem trimmed with 3' lace.costume, children's