This dressing gown was made from a patchwork quilt begun around the 1880s or 1890s by the daughters of William and Polly Hodgens, owners of the Adelphi Hotel near Montague Station, South Melbourne. The quilt became a communal project, added to over many years by the Hodgens children, relatives, friends and guests. Together, they filled the colourful patchwork with images and figures from their everyday lives, giving us a unique glimpse into the world of early Melbourne.Crazy patchwork dressing gown made from a patchwork bedspread. Made from irregular pieces of silk, satin, velvet and brocades and embellished with embroidered and painted motifs. Fully lined with maroon silk. Neckline trimmed with thick silk cord. Right over left fastening with two large metal press studs. One of the pieces on the back has an inscription dated 11/7/94 (1894).dressing gown, patchwork, embroidery, hand painted

These shoes were worn by Emily Cock (nee Smith), the daughter of wealthy early settler John Matthew Smith. From 1856 until 1931 the Smiths lived at 'Castlefield', a mansion on a vast estate that at one time stretched along South Road from Bluff Road to Hampton Street. The land was gradually subdivided, and the house is now a part of Haileybury College.Pair of flat black kid leather indoor shoes decorated with pale blue silk, cut-away applique and embroidery.shoes, embroidery, applique, castlefield, emily smith, brighton

Unlined taupe silk cloak with two wide horizontal bands of black satin and lozenge-shaped black cord detailing. Black satin tie collar with black tassels at ends.1920s, cloak, art deco

Long-sleeved ivory-coloured silk chiffon and gold metallic fabric dress decorated with silk and metallic thread emroidery and (gelatine?) beading.metallic fabric, embroidery, beading, 1920s

Woven cane oval bag (.1) with small spherical metal feet and leather handles. Hinges open at top. Inside there is a separate small brown leather coin purse (.2) with metal clasp.handbag, purse, 1880s, 1890s

Cream doeskin leather shoes with glass and metal bead floral decoration on vamp and decorative bow. Label stamped in gold on sock (inside lining): FROM / R. White / Melbourneshoes, 19th century, r white, melbourne fashion

Beige silk parasol printed with bold zig-zag design in brown, orange, yellow and turquoise. Metal spokes tipped with white bakelite. Wooden handle decorated with pokerwork design painted red. Wooden ball covered in silk thread and twisted cotton cord hanging from handle.Cast in metal spokes: THE ARMSTRONG REGD BRITISH MAKE Woven label, blue on white cotton attached to spoken: Perfectionparasol, the armstrong, 1920s

Blue silk parasol with cream silk printed with floral design in beige, brown, turquoise and terracotta. Metal spokes tipped with horn coloured bakelite. Wooden handle with traces of iredescent paint. Dark brown twisted cotton cord hanging from handle. Cast in metal spokes: THE ARMSTRONG REGD BRITISH MAKEparasol, art deco, printed fabric, 1920s, the armstrong

Thomas Harrison (1897-1981) was a leading Melbourne milliner from the 1930s. He began his millinery career in 1920, and by the late 1930s had a salon and workshop at 163 Collins St. He later moved the business to Toorak Road, South Yarra. He continued millinery work until 1975.Pink floral dome-shaped hat made up of silk and velvet pink hydrangea petals and mauve silk stems attached to a stiffened net base.Label, printed black on white acetate, centre back: THOMAS HARRISONthomas harrison, hats, 1960s fashion, melbourne fashion

Wreath of mustard and grey silk velvet leaves with bow at centre front, covered with grey tulle. Label, woven black on grey acetate, inside side back: PHONE 50 5347 / Mary H. Thomas, 103 WATTLETREE RD. EAST MALVERNhat, millinery, 1960s

Pair of silver holographic platform open-toed shoes. Label, woven black on white: TIP toeplatform shoes, 1970s, tip toe

The Malborough Classic label was a house label of David Jones Department Store.Pink floral patterned quilted polished cotton circular skirt with two patch pockets. Label, woven grey and yellow on white acetate, centre back: A Malborough Classicskirt, 1950s, marlborough classic, david jones

Jot was an exclusive Toorak fashion label and boutique established in 1969 by Lithuanian-born Terry Oertel and French-born Odile Moktar. Terry's sister Arija Austin was also a designer; in partnership with Erna Vilks she established the high-end Tu Boutique in South Yarra in 1963. The two sisters came to Australia as teenagers after World War II.Maxi coat in cream, yellow and metallic gold ogival patterned brocade. Fastens with five large metallic gold corded domed buttons. Lined with ivory silk taffeta.Label, woven black on white acetate, centre back neck: jot / TOORAKcoat, brocade, 1970s fashion, melbourne designers, melbourne fashion, jot, terry oertel, odile moktar, toorak

Evening jacket made of gold metallic fabric. Deep cross-over front with curved peplum and flared cuffs. Peplum and cuffs feature 7 rows of pale blue stiching. Lined with pale blue silk.jacket, art deco, metallic fabric, evening wear, 1920s, 1930s

Often referred to as Assiut shawls, where they were made.Cream-coloured cotton bobbinet ground, hand-embroidered with flattened metal strips.shawl, metal embroidery, egyptomania, 1920s fashion, assuit shawl

Mary Owen OAM (1921-2017) purchased this dress in 1975 in Mexico while attending the first World Conference on Women and wore it to the reception there. A dedicated feminist, unionist and activist, she was a vocal campaigner for the empowerment of women, particularly in the fight for equal pay. Mary's involvement in activism began in 1966 when she joined the staff of the Association of Architects, Engineers & Draughtsmen (AAESDA), where she was responsible for advertising, layout and proofreading editorial for its journal 'Blueprint'. Her contact with the union awoke an interest in women's rights in the workplace, and in 1969 after she joined Dr Bertram Wainer's Progressive Reform Party, which advocated for legalised abortion. She joined the Women's Electoral Lobby in 1972 and remained an active member for over forty-three years, representing the WEL on many government committees. She was a founding co-coordinator of the Working Women's Centre Melbourne from 1975 until 1986, a founding member of EMILY's List Australia, an early member of the Melbourne Press Club and an early supporter of the Australian Women's Archives Project. An annual Mary Owen Dinner was held in her honour for twenty years from 1986 until 2007, which brought together hundreds of women each year. Mary was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Order of Australia Medal in 1984. She was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2001.Red, white and black cotton halter neck dress with rows of pin tucking on the bodice and applied horizontal strips of red and black cotton and black lace to the skirt. Label, woven black on white acetate, centre back: Disenado con carino por / GEORGIA CHARUHAS / HECHO / EN MEXICO Label, woven black on white acetate, centre back: Gerorgia's / BOUTIQUE LAS MARIPOSAS / Designer: / Georgia Charuhas / MERIDA YUCATAN, MEXICOmexico, international women's conference, 1970s fashion, georgia charuhas, feminism, mary owen

Shaw family collection. This outfit was Mrs Shaw's 'going away' outfit for her wedding in 1972. Ricki Reed was a Melbourne-based label founded by designer Dorothy Rabinov.Two-piece hot pants outfit made from cream synthetic 'Estacel' (Courtaulds acetate fibre) and rayon with red dots and plain red synthetic fabric. .1 - Blouse: fastens centre front with five red plastic buttons. .2 - Hot pants: fastens centre back with zip.Label woven, metallic gold on white acetate, centre back blouse and shorts: ricki reed / ALL RAYON Label printed, black on beige acetate, centre back blouse and shorts: Estacel and / RAYON / COURTAULDS ACETATE FIBREhot pants, 1970s fashion, going away outfit, dorothy rabinov, ricki reed, melbourne designers

Full-length pink satin evening dress with beaded shoulder straps and plaited fabric trim decorating low back. Two fabric bows on front bodice and diamond-shaped centre front panel. Separate wide pink satin cumerband made of plaited fabric with bow at back. .1 - dress .2 - cumberbandevening dress, 1930s fashion

Orange bouclé wool coat woven with velvet stripes; brown fur collar and deep hem.1920s, cloak, cape

In 1880 Melbourne hosted its first major international exhibition the "Melbourne International Exhibition". In 1888 Melbourne hosted its second major international exhibition the "Melbourne International Centennial Exhibition".Two-piece evening dress comprising separate bodice and skirt made of gold-coloured silk damask woven with large curvilinear design in cream. Cream tulle trim around neck embellished with beads and artificial pearls. Similar trim down centre front and around lower edge of bodice. Short puffed sleeves Neckline trimed with wide gold satin riboon and bows. Bodice is boned and fastens centre back with hooks and eyes. Gored skirt pleated into waist. .1 - bodice . 2 - skirtLabel, woven blue on cream, centre back bodice: QUOD FACIMUS VALDE FACIMUS, George & George Ltd / Federal Emporium / Melbourne, International Exhibition Melbourne, Costumes and Mantlesgeorge and george, evening dress, georges of collins street, 1888

Two piece boy's romper suit. Short-sleeved beige shirt with smocking on front is buttoned to mid-brown short pants with large mother-of-pearl buttons. Cream coloured contrast top stitching.children's clothing, 1940s, romper suit

White cotton cutwork child's dress, hand stitched. Back opening with drawstring neck and waist.children's clothing, embroidery, cutwork, 19th century, lace

Long sleeveless beaded evening dress with V-front and back neckline. Black tulle base embellished with black, grey and purple beads and sequins with a design of a purple sunburst radiating from the right proper hip and mirrored on the back. Bodice sides split to waist and skirt sides split to hip. 1920s fashion, evening dress, beading, flapper dress

This dress was donated to BHS in 1973 by local teacher Miss Jean Mole (1910-1984). Information provided on donation suggests that it was worn by Jean's mother, Lottie Richmond Bryan (1873-1959), on her marriage to Ernest Mole (1863-1929) in Daylesford on 27 May 1908. However, the style of the dress indicates an earlier date, circa 1878. It is possible that the dress was in fact worn by Jean's grandmother, Jane Crowe McNeil (1850-1933), who married James Bryan (1838-1886) in Daylesford on 9 February 1870.Beige taffeta silk dress with fine black woven stripe. Olive coloured bias satin trim and vandyked horizontal panels down front of the dress. The dress has a train.wedding dress, silk, 1870s, jean gertrude mole, lottie richmond bryan, jane crowe mcneil

Cream coloured raw silk dress. Lower part of skirt hand-embroidered with floral design. Black and white striped silk collar and placket at front opening with 17 black decorative buttons. Two rows of thick cording insetred into casings around waist area which control the gathering in the skirt.silk, embroidery, 1910s

Black full-length crepe evening dress (.1) with bronze-coloured sequins on bodice; asymmetric neckline and draping. Matching black reticule (.2) with sequins.evening dress, sequins, 1940s

Dior-inspired suit jacket. Unlined. Six cloth buttons with bound button holes. Inside hip pads. Label, woven brown on cream acetate, centre back neck: "Ponce De Leon". Handwritten on label in black pen: "43 LANDELS".jacket, 1940s, rosalind landells

Black silk satin cape with corded design. Black fur trim on collar, centrefront openings and hem. Lined with quilted black silk. Watch pocket on left proper interior. Wool interlining.cape, 1890s

Sheer black silk chiffon dress with black beaded front detail and pin tucked front skirt. Long pointed beaded collar. Long sleeves with nine rows of horizontal pin tucking on lower edge.

Blue cotton circular skirt with white cord design of men and women dancing around the hem. Fastens with a metal sip in left proper side seam.Label, printed red on cream cotton, centre back: Milton Harding / MELBOURNE / GUARANTEED TAILORED / & HAND FINISHED (image of skirt)skirt, 1950s, milton harding