The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants' clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. While the collection includes some examples of international fashion, most items were handmade or purchased in Melbourne. Chemisette with a square neckline and three buttons down the front. It has an attached peplum. The sleeves and neckline are edged with lace. A row of ribbon insertion lace tape is attached to fabric of neckline. 30 mm in from the front of the neckline is a row of drawn thread work. Bodice is also decorated with 4 rows of triple pin tucking. The garment is short sleeved. The buttonholes are concealedlace, women's clothing, underwear, camisoles, chemisettes, undergarments

A cotton bonnet belonging to the family of George Ward Cole’s in the late 1800s. 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 demolished. A hand sewn ivory cotton, embroidery anglaise child’s bonnet from the late 1800s. The bonnet fabric design combines features a combination of narrow pin tucking and embroidered flowers on a vine. The bonnet edge is finished with a double-layered delicate gathered lace ruffle around all the edges. The bonnet secures under the chin with a delicate tie made of a similar but plain fabric.george ward cole, st ninians, late 1800s, bonnet, margaret morrison ward cole, agnes bruce ward cole, thomas anne ward cole, brighton

Clothing. Women's cream coloured elbow length leather gloves. Key hole slit (12 cm X 1-3 cm) inside wrist with three button holes. Left glove has one X.7 cm spherical button. Right glove has two .8 cm flat pearl buttons. Visible external seams. Three pin tucks on back of glove.costume accessories, female, women's cream coloured leather gloves

Lack of label suggest that this garment was produced in the Kiewa Valley Circa 1900 to 1940s. It would appear to be from a local seemstressThe time period indicates that the distances to the main centres of fashion was far too long for families to go to purchase such items from a retailer. Settlements in the Kiewa Valley would have more than one local seemstress. The relative rarity of the garment and the "Ric Rack" is unique.Garment has sleeveless top attached to pantaloons at waist and open crotch and going down inner leg seam to 8cm from bottom. Bottom section of each leg adorned with crotcheted lace and two pin tucks around bottom of legs. Top back of garmenthas three "Mother of Pearl" buttons and narrow 8mm wide shouldenilcross reference to KVHS 0249 and KVHS 0240 straps. Machine stitched cream in colour vest, undergarment, underwear, lingerie

Clothing. Cream coloured sleeveless silk baby's dress.Straight line dress gathered skirt sections on sides. Separate fabric pieces form shoulders.V shaped neckline back and front. Centre of front neckline has six pin tucks over sown with blue and pink embroidered cross stitch. Back opening to waist fastened by two press studs. Border of blue and pink flowers around lower edge of dress.costume, children's, baby's dress

Ladies sleeveless yellow nylon blouse. See through nylon fabric. Peter pan collar with pintucks on upper layer. Rounded front yoke of vertical pin tucks with scalloped lace edge. Front opening with four X 1 cm clear plastic buttons. A four cm fold over edging on arm holes. Vertical darts from lower hemline- one on either side of front and two on back.costume, female, ladies sleeveless yellow nylon blouse

Clothing. Men's brown leather driving gloves. Cuff above wrist (11 cms X 15 cms) with inverted pleat on inside seam. Three pin tucks on the back of the gloves. Two piece decorative leather band across wrist on the back of glove (10 cm X 1-5 cm) with metal buckle, and metal loop fastened with 1.5 cm metal press-stud with red cover.Printed on plastic cover of press-stud ''AUSTRALIAN MAKE'' with knotted rope pattern in centre. Printed inside both gloves ''8 1/2''costume accessories, female, men's brown leather driving gloves

Clothing.Woman's cream coloured long sleeved silk bodice. High round neckline with 4 cm stand up collar. Semi-circular yoke front and back (13cm radius). Collar and yoke have embroidered net over silk fabric. Kimono cut long sleeves have cuffs of embroidered net over silk from shoulder to wrist along top of sleeve (33cm X 4 cm). Sleeves and front of bodice have all over vertical pin tucks. The front of the bodice has cotton tape ties stitched across from centre front to side seams at waist level gathering the fabric to form a peplum effect at the front. The tails of the cotton tapes tie across the back from the side seams. Full length front opening fastened with nine press-studs between collar and waist and a metal hook and eye at the waist. The back of the bodice has vertical pin tucks across the shoulders and below the yoke extending 9 cm below the yoke.costume, female, woman's cream coloured silk bodice

local manufacture either a seemstress or a mother. Time Circa 1920s to 1940s. Distance from towns with haberdasheries would force local manufacture of garments by highly skilled women.Historical period Circa 1920s to 1940s was before easy access to branded manufactured clothes. Majority of basic clothing was hand made either family or skilled friends and neighbours This is Garment is cross referenced to KVHS 0249 and KVHS 0248 and details the growth of a young childGarment has sleeveless top attached to pantaloons at waist and open crotch and going down inner leg seam to 8cm from bottom. Bottom section of each leg adorned with crocheted lace and two pin tucks around bottom of the legs. Top back of garment has three "Mother of Pearl" buttons and narrow 8 mm wide shoulder cross reference to KVHS 0249 and KVHS 0240 straps. Machine stitched cream in colourvest, underwear, child's clothing

This dress was worn by Dorothy Williams as a going away outfit at her wedding in 1958Light brown poplin day dress. Capped sleeves and Peter Pan collar. Pin tucks from collar to waist on each side of opening with six pearl buttons. Six press studs, one under each button. Gathered skirt with narrow belt at waist. Guipure lace in the form of daisies around collar and each side of pintucks and around skirt at hip level. Zip on left hand side. Wedding dress NA4110. Hat NA4111.costume, female

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.Late Victorian black cotton bodice with narrow sleeves. The creator of the bodice has made extensive use of beading at the front and on the sleeves. The bodice is unusual in that it includes an overlay at the front of black sequined tulle over a cream silk insert. The bodice has a black velvet waistband. The edging of the bodice includes pin tucking. Two long 'swallow tails' of lace (sic) hang from the neck of the bodice at the front. The bodice was owned by one of the donor's maternal ancestors.australian fashion, women's clothing, bodices, lace, victorian fashion, micky ashton

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. Blue silk, floor length day dress comprised of a tightly fitted, long, waisted jacket joined by hooks and eyes at centre front. The bodice features large ornamental buttons from neck to waist, covered in a figured silk fabric of the same colour as the dress. The gown has extensive pin tucking on the sleeves, on the flounce of the skirt, and on the long train. The line of the outfit is emphasised by the flattened front, which is typical of the period. Its cut and lack of adornment emphasises the tailored effect.australian fashion, fashion & design, costumes, dresses, women's clothing, fashion - 1860s, fashion - 1870s

Clothing. Beautiful deep cream silk bodice, fully lined with cream tulle/net. Elbow length sleeves have a semi-circle of embroidered silk, and an embroidered tulle ''flounce'', edged with cream cord - 17 cms long. The bodice has seven pin-tucks, angled from the shoulder to the waistline on each side of the front and back. Between the pin-tucks at centre front panel is an extensive cream silk, floral embroidery. A rounded neckline at front and back, is in-filled with embroidered tulle - small 1 cm diameter flowers, in a 3 cm diameter circle, defined by 12 small (3mm) embroidered circles. The tulle infill extends to a 7 cm high stand-up collar-supported by seven plastic ''bones''. The collar also features the same, circular, floral embroidery, and is also edged at the throat with cream cording. The bodice while in good condition, has been cut at the hemline, and a 10.5 cm strip of fabric has been added but unfinished. 18 metal hooks, and hand-stitched loops fasten the back of the bodice. Sleeves are an extension of the bodice.costume, female, cream silk and tulle bodice

Clothing. Women's black satin bonnet. Semi circular pin tucked band at the front (7 cm X 13 cm) wide. Back of the bonnet is trimmed with fine gathered silk with frilled edge (14 cm wide). Centre front of bonnet has a folded back frill of gathered finely pleated silk. Front corners have finely pleated silk fabric ties with frilled ends. (50 cm). The ties have decorative silk ribbon bows where they attach to the bonnet.costume accessories, female, women's black satin bonnet

Clothing. Woman's black silk brocade bodice. High round neckline with full length front opening fastened with 13 metal hooks and eyes. Bodice fully lined with black cotton fabric and shaped in at waistline. Seven casings for boning - two on each side of front, one on each side seam and one at centre back (18cm X 1.3 cm). Casings reinforced with bright yellow cotton stitching. Cotton tape casing at hemline at waist. Long straight set in sleeves extending to a rounded shape over the back of the hand.Cross over front outer layer fastened with three hooks and eyes at the top and one at the waist. Panels of black lace run from shoulders to waist on either side of a centre insert panel (12 cm X 15cm) with five horizontal strips of velvet ribbon. Below the insert are three 7-9cm wide black lace ruffles with khaki green embroidery (Jabot effect). The back has a deep V shaped insert of vertical pin tucks and black lace, from across the shoulders to centre back. Pin tucks also on either side of front neckline.costume, female, woman's black silk brocade bodice

Clothing. Infant's cream coloured cotton nightdress, with yoke front and back. Lace insert at centre front of yoke (10cm X 10cm). Round neckline with casing. Long sleeves gathered at shoulders with eyelet casing at wrist, and 1cm lace trim at hem. Casing threaded with cotton tape. Skirt gathered at yoke. Skirt has border of 2 X three rows of horizontal pin tucks. Centre back opening (26 cm) fastened with cotton tape tie at neckline and one X1cm button and button hole at centre yoke.costume, children's, infant's cream cotton nightdress

Clothing. Men's cream coloured cotton formal dress shirt. Stiffened bib front (27 cm X 38 cm) with pleats and pin tucks. Centre front placket (35 cm) with 7 cm button holed tab at lower end. Front opening fastened with three buttons and button holes (two buttons missing). Double button holes on 2 cm stand up collar. Body of shirt gathered into yoke at centre back. Long straight sleeves with 7 cm stiffened cuff with button holes for cuff links.Tag inside back neck. Coat of Arms, ''Fdad' Aluisio Napoli'' Red hand stitched laundry mark.costume, male, men's cream coloured dress shirt

Part of Graham Collection, donated by the Family of Misses Mary and Edith Maude Graham, of 4 Blair Street, Portland.Cream silk child's dress. Elbow-length gathered sleeves with smocking at wrists. 2-panels of hand crocheted lace forming a 3-panel yoke with central insert of cream embroidery. Full-length dress in silk with two rows of smocking on bodice. At base of dress are two panels of 6 rows of pin-tucking, separated panel of lace over silk backing. Lace at neck. Opening in centre back with 7 button holes and 5 mother-of-pearl buttons with striution carved design. Cream satin ribbon runs under smocking at back and sewn into side seams.clothing, costume, dress, 1900s

Clothing. Girl's cream coloured short sleeved linen waist length bodice/blouse. High U shaped neckline with ribbon insert lace and fold over lace collar (5cm). Yoke front and back with zig zag edge at front and V shaped at centre back. Yoke has decorative diagonal embroidered panels and pin tucks. The lower section of the blouse is shaped above the waist with darts and pleats below the bustline at the front and at centre back. Short sleeves have ribbon insert lace around arm holes with 7 cm embroidered fabric forming the sleeves.costume, children's, child's bodice/blouse

Clothing. Wrist length, dark cream, machine stitched leather gloves. Machine stitching-two rows, gives the effect of pin-tucks, are sewn in a diagonal direction from the outer wrist, across the back of the hand. The shorter outer stitching, 4 cm long has two 6mm long leather stitches, at right angle to the machine stitching. The second diagonal stitching runs around the top of the glove, and 9.5 cms across the back of the hand. It is offset with three 6 mm stitches at right angles. There is a 3 cm long, bound slit at the outer side top of the gloves.costume accessories, female, dark cream wrist length leather gloves

Clothing. Cream coloured silk baby's dress. Sleeveless with yoke at front and back. 2cm white embroidered ribbons form shoulders. LHS has opening with press stud fastener. Yoke front and back edged with .4cm scalloped lace. Cut work open pattern at lower edge of yoke front and back. Bottom of dress edged with .4cm scalloped lace.Front yoke has three pin tucks with embroidered pink and blue flowers and green leaves. Lower LHS of skirt has embroidered posie of pink and blue flowers and green leaves tied with a blue ribbon.costume, children's, baby's dress

Clothing. Women's cream coloured short sleeved linen nightgown. High round neckline with 4.5 cm broderie lace frill. Front has lace bib below neckline.(45cm wide X 30 cm deep) dipping to a V shape across the bustline. Bib section made up of 4.5 cm broderie lace around the edge. Centre front opening (15 cm) from neckline, fastened with two press-studs with lace frill covering the opening. Short set in sleeves edged with pin tucks, ribbon and 4.5 cm broderie lace. "A" shaped nightgown widening to the hem.costume, female, women's cream coloured linen nightgown

Clothing. Infant's cream coloured cotton nightdress. High round neckline with 1.5 cm lace edge, and casing with .8 cm cotton tape drawstring. Yoke front and back. Casing below yoke. Front yoke has layers oversewn below neckline - three vertical strips of lace. Long straight skirt sections gathered at yoke. Set in sleeves, pleated at wrist with 1.3 cm lace trim. Centre back opening (27 cm) fastened with cotton tape at neckline and 1 X 0ne cm patterned button at lower edge of yoke. Lower edge of skirt has five horizontal pin tucks above the hem.costume, children's, infant's cream cotton nightdress

Clothing. Women's cream coloured long sleeved linen nightgown. High round neckline trimmed with 1.5 cm dark pink and white lace. Front has three vertical tab sections (6-7 cm wide0 of dark pink and cream ribbon and lace insert. Underneath the tabs is a diagonal pattern of ribbon and pin tucks. front opening (24 cm) left of centre is fastened with two 1 cm plastic buttons and cotton loops. Long straight sleeves gathered into a cuff of dark pink and white ribbon and lace inserts. Fabric yoke across shoulders at back with body of nightgown pleated at centre back below fabric yoke. ''A'' shaped garment widening to hem.costume, female, women's cream colored linen nightgown

Clothing. Child's dress - pink silk trimmed with black lace, Pink silk, lined with muslin. Waisted - skirt gathered at back, 3 small pleats at either side of front. Small band at 3 '' pin tuck '' liked rows of fabric at waist. Smalloocket inserted in one at front seams. Five 1cm pleats at each side of centre bodice front. Square neckline banded with 3 rowa of narrow black velvet ribbon, and one row of 4 cm deep black lace. These rows of ribbon and lace repeated on the short sleeves, and at the lower hemline.Back bodice has boning on either side at centre back and eyelets for lacing (No lacing present). Bodice lined with cream calico. Hand and machine stitched.costume, children's, party dress

Clothing. Women's cream coloured long sleeved linen nightgown. High round neckline trimmed with 1cm red and white lace with scalloped edge. Front bib section below neckline (44 cm X 35 cm) of vertical red and white ribbon strips and pin tucks. Lower edge of bib section has zig zag shape dipping to V shape at centre front. Bib section edged with red and white lace.Front opening left of centre (24 cm) fastened with 2 X 0ne cm plastic buttons and cotton loops. Long straight sleeves gathered into cuff of red and white ribbon strips, lace with red and white pleated lace frill. Fabric yoke across shoulders at back below fabric yoke. ''A'' shaped garment widening to hemcostume, female, women's long sleeved linen nightgown

Black silk-satin machine stitched dress. Dropped waist with bans 3.5 cm wide across front. Pleat from neckline to dropped waist, 2.5 cm wide and fastened down by four groupings of two one cm diameter buttons, mauve in colour. Four rows of narrow pin tucks each side of centre front and one tuck one cm wide on outer side of pintucks. Six press stud fasteners concealed under left hand tuck. Fold down collar, with two silk embroidered flowers appliquéd at collar fronts. Three quarter length sleeves slit at lower edge, and trimmed with two mauve buttons and two silk flowers appliquéd at each lower edge. Four knife pleats at each side of front skirt/ Back straight through from shoulders.garments from the Executors of the late Frieda Kahland 11400.122,11400.364, 11400.365, 11400.366.. Donated by A.L.Lienhop of Harcourt.costume, female, black silk-satin dress

Ladies black satin boned bodice. Centre opening, fastened with eighteen metal hooks and eyes. Waistband 2.5cm wide with eleven vertical fabric encased bones attached. There are two bones on either side of the front opening, bones on each side seam and five bones across the back. There is a decorative two cm wide ribbon attached to the RHS of the waistband that extends across the front of the bodice to the LHS with a seventeen cm black ribbon bow attached. This is fastened to the RHS waistband with a metal hook and eye. There are two decorative pin tucks across the waistband at the back of the bodice. The bodice and sleeves are lined with brown cotton fabric. The 6.5cm stand-up collar is lined with dark green cotton fabric. The shoulders seams and eight of the bone casing are reinforced with black cotton fabric with green and pink checked edging. The long sleeves are gathered at the shoulders and shaped at the elbows. The wrist is finished with a decorative band of pleated fabric (2.5cm wide).costume, female, ladies black satin boned bodice