An item forming part of a collection of costumes, photographs and documents relating to the Weir family who lived in a mansion, originally named Illapa, at 84 Princess Street, Kew, from c.1917 to 1950. This historically significant collection includes items relating to both George Weir (1866-1937), his wife Edith Mary Weir (1867-1948) and their children. George Weir attained national prominence in the mining industry, becoming General Manager of the North Broken Hill Silver Mining Company in 1903 (later renamed North Broken Hill Mining Company 1905-12, and North Broken Hill Ltd 1912-1988), and subsequently President of the Mine Owners Association. He was to remain General Manager of North Broken Hill Ltd until his retirement in 1926.This garment is part of a collection of women’s clothing, owned and worn by Edith Mary Weir (nee Betteridge) - born in Clare, South Australia 1867, died Kew 1948 - and also by her daughter. The garments date from the 1880s to the 1930s. The collection includes day dresses, evening dresses, evening coats, capes, and undergarments. As the wife and daughter of a mine manager, the collection includes representative examples of clothing worn by upper middle class Australian women in domestic circumstances, and at social and civic events. A number of the costumes from the 1920s to the 1930s are of a particularly fine quality, being both rare, representative and intact examples of Australian fashion of the period. The garments in the Weir Collection were donated to the Kew Historical Society by a granddaughter of Edith Weir in 2017.Cocktail dress of an overall muted pink colour, with an outer layer of multi-coloured pink silk georgette patterned all over with small flowers. Below the waist the georgette is formed into separate hemmed floating panels. Pink velvet is used on the square neckline and on the cuffs of the sleeves. The same velvet fabric is used in the separate pink velvet headband with feathers. edith mary weir (nee betteridge), illapa -- 84 princess street -- kew (vic.), women's clothing, weir collection, dresses, fashion -- 1920s

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. 1880s women's dress featured tightly fitting bodices with very narrow sleeves and high necklines, often trimmed at the wrists with white frills or lace. This example may have had its sleeves removed post construction.Grey coloured silk taffeta, ‘tailed’ woman’s waistcoat with cream silk panels. It would appear that the sleeves have been removed. women's clothing, fashion - melbourne - 1880s, bodices, vests

1880s women's dress featured tightly fitting bodices with very narrow sleeves and high necklines, often trimmed at the wrists with white frills or lace.Beige coloured silk top with narrow mauve stripes. The top has a piped mandarin collar. The top has satin trimming. The bodice is badly stained.women's clothing, australian fashion, costumes, bodices

Netta Fuller and her husband Alec were long-term residents of Kew. As a boy, Alec had attended East Kew Primary School and was later highly involved in the Kew Presbyterian Church during the 1950s and 60s. Netta's passion was for historic clothing and its exhibition. In 1985, Netta Fuller and Elizabeth Pace launched a parade of garments sponsored by Kew Historical Society at Holy Trinity Church, Kew. The parade was called 'Downunder Dressmakers' and included a collection of over fifty items of clothing dating from 1800 to 1984. The collection included dresses, hats, scarfs, capes, sporting costumes etc. The core of the parade consisted of a collection of 19th century costumes worn by the ancestors of a Miss Gertrude Murray, a resident of Blackburn. In sourcing items for her collections, Netta Fuller collected costumes stored in old trunks and wardrobes, or even purchased from opportunity shops. (During the period in which she collected and exhibited costumes, the latter could often be a reliable source for the purchase of historic and aesthetically significant costumes.) Not satisfied with purchasing authentic costumes of the period, Netta also used these as models for artistic recreations. Following her retirement from both collecting and exhibiting, Netta Fuller donated a number of 19th Century garments to the Kew Historical Society's costume collection. A number of garments were parts of costumes such as bodices, while others were complete outfits. Some of the latter exhibit signs of old damage, however very few of the costumes had been modified to enable them to be worn in exhibitions. Provenance, apart from that the costumes were donated by Netta Fuller after 1985 is limited to donor information, although some of her donations may have originally been part of the collection owned by the Murray family. While the costumes are old and therefore historic, provenance is less important than the representativeness and/or rarity of the costumes. Similarly, the costumes need to be evaluated as a group and separately, considering their aesthetic and artistic significance as well a their age.Long-waisted black fitted silk and lace bodice with black wooden buttons. The lace at the edge of the bodice may have been added at a later period.day dresses, women's clothing, mourning wear, fashion -- 1880s, netta fuller

Netta Fuller and her husband Alec were long-term residents of Kew. As a boy, Alec had attended East Kew Primary School and was later highly involved in the Kew Presbyterian Church during the 1950s and 60s. Netta's passion was for historic clothing and its exhibition. In 1985, Netta Fuller and Elizabeth Pace launched a parade of garments sponsored by Kew Historical Society at Holy Trinity Church, Kew. The parade was called 'Downunder Dressmakers' and included a collection of over fifty items of clothing dating from 1800 to 1984. The collection included dresses, hats, scarfs, capes, sporting costumes etc. The core of the parade consisted of a collection of 19th century costumes worn by the ancestors of a Miss Gertrude Murray, a resident of Blackburn. In sourcing items for her collections, Netta Fuller collected costumes stored in old trunks and wardrobes, or even purchased from opportunity shops. (During the period in which she collected and exhibited costumes, the latter could often be a reliable source for the purchase of historic and aesthetically significant costumes.) Not satisfied with purchasing authentic costumes of the period, Netta also used these as models for artistic recreations. Following her retirement from both collecting and exhibiting, Netta Fuller donated a number of 19th Century garments to the Kew Historical Society's costume collection. A number of garments were parts of costumes such as bodices, while others were complete outfits. Some of the latter exhibit signs of old damage, however very few of the costumes had been modified to enable them to be worn in exhibitions. Provenance, apart from that the costumes were donated by Netta Fuller after 1985 is limited to donor information, although some of her donations may have originally been part of the collection owned by the Murray family. While the costumes are old and therefore historic, provenance is less important than the representativeness and/or rarity of the costumes. Similarly, the costumes need to be evaluated as a group and separately, considering their aesthetic and artistic significance as well a their age.Black-coloured silk bodice with leg-of-mutton sleeves. Date: ca. 1890s.australian fashion -- 1890s, bodices, dresses, netta fuller

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. One of a pair of cream silk parasols, each bordered by overlapping bands of beige lace. The underlying structure and mechanism includes a bent cane handle and black metal expanding spokes. The lace borders are layered to create an overlapping fringe. The high-domed umbrellas may have been created for a bridal party."Coombs Collection"coombs collection, clothing accessories, parasols

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. One of a pair of cream silk parasols, each bordered by overlapping bands of beige lace. The underlying structure and mechanism includes a bent cane handle and black metal expanding spokes. The lace borders are layered to create an overlapping fringe. The high-domed umbrellas may have been created for a bridal party. This umbrella cannot be opened due to the silk being shattered."Coombs Collection"coombs collection, clothing accessories, parasols

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 long sleeved dark green silk velvet evening coat buttoned to three quarter length at the front with buttons of the same colour and fabricwomen's clothing, australian fashion - 1930s, evening wear, coat dresses

Jinoel of Melbourne was a highly successful Australian fashion house launched by Jill and Noel Kemmelfield in 1957. Eleven years later the designers won the [Melbourne] Gown of the Year award. Jill and Noel Kemmelfield were later to launch Marty and Martine, their mid-market labels. They closed their business in the 1980s. The evening coat was owned, worn and donated by Dione McIntyre.The McIntyre Collection of clothing and clothing accessories forms one of the largest single donations to our Fashion & Design collection. It includes clothing and clothing accessories worn by four women in the Cohen and McIntyre families across three generations. The items worn by Melbourne architect, and Kew resident, Dione McIntyre date from the 1960s and 1970s, and include evening wear, day wear, hats and shoes. As Dione McIntyre often accompanied her husband, fellow architect Peter McIntyre, to formal events, there are a number of pieces of evening wear among the items. The McIntyre Collection also includes items worn by women of an earlier generation: by Lilian Cohen, Dione McIntyre's mother, and by her mother-in-law, the wife of the architect Robert McIntyre. At the other end of the chronological spectrum are a number of outfits belonging to, worn and donated by Annie McIntyre. These include outfits created by notable late 20th century Australian and/or international fashion designers. The McIntyre Collection is significant historically and artistically as it includes examples of design that demonstrate changing tastes in fashion over an 80-year period. The collection is also significant in that it includes the work of a large number of Melbourne designers from the 1960s to the 1990s. Long sleeved full length yellow raw silk evening coat fastened with a belt of the same colour and fabric. Designed by Jinoel of MelbourneLabel: Jinoel of Melbournewomen's clothing, jinoel of melbourne (vic), coat dresses, jill & noel kemmelfield, mcintyre collection, australian fashion - 1960s

The Fashion & Textiles collections of Kew Historical Society include a number of textiles, as well as women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Textiles include items manufactured or created in the United Kingdom as well as in Australia. As other cultures opened to Australian travellers in the 20th century, members began collecting and donating textiles produced in a number of other countries. Fashion (or clothing/costumes) in the collection was essentially produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, This cocktail dress is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Rosemary-Vaughan Smith.Medium length silver satin evening dress. The weave of the silk fabric includes small pink flowers. The bodice is gathered to give the impression of a bow. The dress has strapped shoulders.women's clothing, cocktail dresses, evening wear, rosemary vaughan-smith, australian fashion - 1950s

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

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.Very fine, lightweight silk two-piece pink and white striped dress comprising a long skirt and a short fitted jacket. The jacket is edged with cream lace at the collar and front. On examination, the lace, while appearing to be in a later style has been judged to be of the period.There is a small faded label on the rear collar of the dress, on which is hand printed the name of the dressmaker. The name has been variously interpreted as reading Miss Gibbens, Miss Gibbons, or Miss Gibbuis. women's clothing, day dresses, australian fashion - 1900s

The donor's aunt, Margaret E. Hollis nee Piesse (18/2/1919-2008) wore this gown to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. She was one of a total of 8,251 guests who attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London. Margaret Piesse was born in Hobart and grew up in the Piesse family home, 'Merridale', Sackville Street, Kew. She was residing at 4a Little Cloister, Westminster Abbey at the time of the Coronation and was married (on 14/2/1942) to Rev Howard Hollis, a minor Canon at the Abbey and a deputy Priest in – Ordinary to the Queen (1954-1959). Howard chanted the litany and carried the sceptre. Margaret’s daughter-in-law, Sue Hollis, Margaret’s sons, Julian who attended the Coronation with his mother, and Richard, gave the photograph to Felicity Renowden, the donor. Margaret Hollis died in Kew on 16/4/2008.Single piece, formal silk brocade gown worn to the Coronation of Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. The bodice is informally draped with horizontal folds of fabric above an antebellum waistline below which is a full skirt. An accompanying photograph of the wearer in the dress can be viewed in the final image above. coronation elizabeth ii, piesse family, merridale -- sackville street -- kew (vic.), margaret e hollis, margaret ellen piesse, fashion design, fashion -- 1950s, women's clothing -- 1950s

This dress was made for and belonged to Mrs Elizabeth McLachlan (nee Duncan, 1820-1904), wife of Reverend John Hamilton McLachlan (1813-1908), who was the first Minister of St Cuthbert's Presbyterian Church in Brighton. Elizabeth and John were married at the Free Church of Ayr at Lindsaystonn in the Parish of Kirkmickach, Ayrshire, Scotland on 15 October 1849. At this time his occupation was listed as "Minister of Presbyterian Church" and hers as "Governess". They left for Australia on the 1 November 1849 and arrived in Australia 6 months later. Apparently John's hair turned snow white during the journey due to his seasickness! The McLachlans first went to Geelong upon their arrival in 1850, then to the Western District, then Brighton, then Talbot at the height of the gold mining era. The couple had seven children: John Campbell Duncan McLachlan (b. Geelong, October 1850), Mary McLachlan (b. Geelong, November 1851), Agnes McLachlan (b. Hopkins River near Wickliff, May 1853), twins Elizabeth and Walter McLachlan (b. June 1854), Elizabeth McLachlan (b. Hesham, June 1855), Margaret McLachlan (b. Brighton, 1857). Elizabeth died in 1904. She and John are both buried in Amherst Cemetery. The dress was donated by one of her granddaughters. This circa 1849 silk blue grey window pane check dress features a high round neck and pleats on either shoulder extending over the natural shoulder line. The dress shows evidence of nine ornamental buttons down the centre front with only four blue silk buttons currently still attached. The dress fastens with thirteen concealed hook and eye closures to the waist. The Pagoda sleeves inset into the bodice in a small high armhole flaring out and finishing just below the elbow. A pale blue silk ribbon with a diagonal drawn stitch design decorates the front of the sleeve in a simple geometric design. The Pagoda sleeve is lined in a matching pale blue silk. The full skirt is pleated into the waistband and finishes just above the floor at the front. At the back the bodice features a squared off design to the princess panels shaping the dress into the body. The skirt is heavily pleated at the centre back into the waistline and finishes slightly longer at the back than the front. The skirt features two very small pockets on either side of the dress, just inside the hips. reverend john hamilton mclachlan, st cuthberts presbyterian church brighton, elizabeth mclachlan, amherst cemetery, 1840s fashion, brighton

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 dress was worn by Julia Benjamin (1850-1927) for her marriage to Abraham Smith (of Polish descent) at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in Bourke Street, Melbourne on 5 September 1868. Julia was the daughter of Joseph Benjamin and Hannah Soloman. Records suggest it may have been converted into her 'calling' gown for the three month 'bridal' period following her marriage. The gown would have been worn with accompanying accessories of a cape and gloves.An early example of a wedding dress of the Melbourne Jewish community.One piece floor length dress of (originally) lavender, watered (moiré) silk taffeta with short sleeves and train that is controlled by interior tapes to create bustle effect. The bodice fastens down the centre front to the waist where the opening below the waist is concealed by side pleats. The bodice appears to have originally featured a piece of lace at the neckline and a textile ruched belt. The dress is backed with a cream cotton.julia benjamin, abraham smith, joseph benjamin, hannah soloman, melbourne hebrew congregation, wedding dress

The donation records indicate that this dress was worn by Georgiana Elizabeth Moore (1899-1974), who lived for most of her life in Brighton at 38 and later 40 Cochrane Street. Since the dress is of an earlier date, It is likely that it belonged to Georgiana's mother, Elizabeth Moore (1860-1950). Georgiana was born to Richard and Elizabeth Moore in Brighton in 1899. She was named after Richard's first wife, Georgiana Leake Moore (nee Paul), who had died in 1893 aged only 38. Georgiana is recorded as having been "tall with red hair". The family moved to Diamond Creek for several years, but returned to Brighton after Richard's death in 1922. Georgiana and her mother settled in Cochrane Street, where they lived for the rest of their lives. We know very little about Georgiana herself. Newspaper records indicate that she was a talented musician, graduating from the University of Melbourne with a diploma in music in 1927. BHS holds a small collection of items belonging to the Moore family. This dress was donated by Georgiana's niece, Jeannette Fraser, along with two nightgowns: a c. 1880 night dress believed to have been worn by Elizabeth and a c. 1910 night dress believed to have been worn by Georgiana's sister Amelia Henrietta Fraser (née Moore) while boarding at Merton Hall (this nightdress does also show a laundry mark of G.E. Moore and so may have been worn by both women). Georgiana herself donated a number of items to the Society in 1972, including a 1920s black and white geometric loom-beaded handbag.A good example of a princess line dress of this period in good condition and with provenance.A one-piece princess line dress, circa 1878-1882 of deep royal blue silk featuring Chinese-inspired self pattern. The neckline features a standing collar and is secured through the centre front from neck to floor with self covered buttons. At the front knee the fabric has been gathered and drawn to the back into a tiered fish-tail swag and trimmed with a matching blue knotted fringe. The swagging is created by interior tapes. The dress is backed with cream cotton.georgiana elizabeth moore, elizabeth moore, amelia henrietta fraser, brighton

This parasol is believed to have been used on the Goldfields of Victoria. The discovery of gold in Victoria ranged between 1851-1879. May have been worn with T0011.1.1-2, afternoon dress. This parasol is believed to have been used on the Goldfields of Victoria. There are few remaining examples of similar items used on the Victorian goldfields.A c1878 eau de nil (green) silk parasol. The parasol canopy features a decorative gathered frill, a pale green silk lining and a scalloped edge. The wooden handle is painted pale beige, with a bone ferrule.victorian goldfields, parasol, 1870s fashion

The donor's husband's grandmother was Bertha Michaelis who lived at 'Linden', St Kilda. She married David Jacob Baruch (known as Dalbert) in Hamburg on 9 November 1881. Bertha was born in Melbourne. The couple lived in Germany. Bertha returned to Melbourne with their two children, Ernest and May, after Dalbert died in 1893. May married Rabbi Jacob Danglow in 1909 and they had one son, Frank, who was the donor's husband.Cream satin princess line wedding dress with dark cream lace trim. Fastens centre front with 17 satin covered buttons. Nine extant bones are placed on the interior seams and darts. Three-quarter length fitted sleeves. Bodice backed with cream cotton. The back trained panels of the skirt have been cut to extend into a pleated swathe of satin that wraps around the hips to the centre front. A square padded bustle pad is attached to the interior back of the skirt. The hem of the skirt is decorated with kilted and swathed satin and lace. Label, interior waist tape, woven silk stamped in dark green: H. L. HEYNEMANN / Hannover / Seilwinderstr. 6a., Bose; In monogrammed ("HLH") circles either side: (Left) BAARZAHLUNGS SYSTEM; (Right) ERSTE PREISE. Stitched in thick cotton thread on interior waist tape: *9097wedding dress, germany, hannover, linden, st kilda, bertha michaelis, david jacob baruch

This dress was worn by Matilda Kinross McDonald, nee Herd (1871-1943) for her wedding to George William Mitchell McDonald in Geelong in 1892. Two-piece wedding dress comprising separate bodice (.1) and skirt (.2) made of figured coffee-coloured silk woven with large sprays of foliage and berries. The front of the bodice is decorated with a cream-coloured hand-made lace. The bodice is cut asymmetrically, with the front panel wrapping over to the left proper side seam. The fitted sleeves are cut with fullness in the head and narrowing at the elbow and wrist in a leg-of-mutton style. The bodice is backed with a dark brown glazed cotton and has 13 bones. The skirt is backed with a coffee-coloured cotton. wedding dress, geelong, matilda kinross herd, george william mitchell mcdonald, 1890s

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

This wedding dress and headpiece were worn by Emily Elizabeth (Betty) Cock (1907-2001) when she married Euston Murray Nutchey at St Andrew's Church, Brighton, on 28 April 1938. The bride's great-grandmother, Emily Cock (nee Smith), was married in the same church 69 years earlier; Emily's dress is also in the Brighton Historical Society collection. The dress was made by Melbourne dressmaker Beatrice Cook, with distinctive blue beaded panels worked by Betty's younger sister Margaret (1915-2006) to match the wedding's blue-and-pink colour scheme. The dress was accessorised with a pale blue tulle veil and a bouquet of blue hydrangeas, delphiniums and pale pink roses.Satin dress cut on the bias, originally ice-blue, now faded to cream. The dress features a long train and broad v-neck. The bodice and waist are softly ruched and gathered on either side of a finely beaded centre panel running from the neckline to the hem. The beadwork features a design of small cream-coloured leaves winding between large stylised blue flowers and leaves, all bordered with silver beads. Full-length sleeves are slightly puffed at the shoulder, narrowing to a close fit, with beaded cuffs matching the centre panel. The dress is accompanied by a matching blue, cream and silver beaded coronet or headpiece; this was originally worn with a pale blue tulle bridal veil.Label, woven mauve on beige silk, centre back: Beatrice Cookbetty cock, betty nutchey, emily elizabeth cock, emily elizabeth nutchey, euston murray nutchey, beatrice cook, wedding dress, st andrew's church brighton, 1930s, frances margaret cock, frances margaret ward

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

This dress and bag belonged to Mrs Edith "Dot" Paroissien (nee Jackson, born 1916), who lived in Brighton with her husband David William Paroissien. The dress was purchased from Croyde, a Melbourne designer who had a small boutique shop in Collins Street near the Block Arcade, and the bag was bought for her in London by David. Dot recalled wearing the dress in the 1950s, in particular to a ball at the Royal Exhibition Buildings for Wesley College. She wore it with suede shoes with a medium heel with straps across the instep and long white kid gloves, and accessorised with a baguette choker and drop earrings.Black silk satin sleeveless full-length evening dress. The attached bodice floats over the top of the under-dress. Asymmetrical opening on bodice which features five large flat self-covered buttons. The black suede bag has chrome fittings and buttery cream coloured satin interior. .1 dress - Label, woven black on white acetate centre back: CROYDE / MELBOURNE .2 - bag - Label, printed, black on cream acetate, interior pocket: Susan / HANDBAGS / LONDON; Label, printed, copper on black metal, interior pocket: MADE IN ITALY / FOR SUSANevening dress, croyde, melbourne fashion, melbourne designers, handbag, royal exhibition building, 1950s, edith violetta paroissien, edith violetta jackson

Worn by Edna Emily Seehusen (1916-2005) when she married William Alexander McQuilten (1911-2010) in September 1947 at Brighton Congregational Church, Black Street, Brighton.Ivory satin dress with train overlaid with machine made lace. High, gathered neckline, leg-of-mutton sleeves, In-built padded hip rolls. Front of dress is decorated with wax flowers. Label, woven pink on cream silk, centre back neck: A / Dorothy Draper / Original / EXCLUSIVE TO / BALL & WELCH LTD. / MELBOURNEwedding dress, lace, ball and welch, edna emily seehusen, william alexander mcquilten, brighton congregational church, brighton

Silk blouse made by Toula Mavrokefalos, the mother of long-time Brighton resident Olga Black. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula 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. 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. Olga 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.Cream silk short-sleeved blouse. Hand embroidered around inside of stand collar, centre front panel and sleeve edge in red, blue, black and green floral and geometric design.migration, ithaca, romania, olga black, toula mavrokefalos, toula black

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 1930s dress in 1983 to wear to her sister's Registry Office wedding in William Street, Melbourne. It was the first vintage clothing item she ever purchased and was the starting point of a lifelong love of collecting, preserving and promoting historical clothing. She subsequently wore the dress to a great number of events and considered it an important piece in her wardrobe. c1930s black cotton filet net dress with white cotton embroidered flowers. The dress fastens centre front with three hook and eyes, eleven black silk covered buttons and finished with black acetate ribbon band pussy bow at the neck , is slim fitting and finishes at approximately knee length. The head of the sleeve is gathered with a small shoulder band and finishes above the elbow with a black silk band. filet net, 1930s, di reidie, vintage clothing

Raoul Couture was a high-end fashion house based in Flinders Lane from around 1955 until 1964. Established by designer Ralph Samuel, who also owned Hartnell of Melbourne (circa late 1940s-1971), Raoul was the business's premium label. The head designer was Leonard Legge, who later worked for Prue Acton. Brighton Historical Society holds a small collection of Hartnell and Raoul Couture garments, including a Gown of the Year Award-winning dress donated by Ralph Samuel.Red felted wool coat with red silk lining, fastening centre front with four large square-shaped buttons. Single vent/slit up centre back to waist. Loosely belted back with single button fastening.Label, inner collar: "raoul couture / MELB"raoul couture, melbourne designers, flinders lane, ralph samuel, leonard legge, hartnell of melbourne

This bodice, which originally had a matching skirt, belonged to Phoebe Richardson (nee Brinsmead, 1885-1956), who married Charles William Richardson in 1911. The family lived in Geelong. Brinsmead Lane, off the Bellarine Highway in Leopold, is named after Phoebe's family, being the original location of the family home. The bodice was likely made by a seamstress as the family were quite fashion-conscious. Phoebe's daughter Edna Baker (nee Richardson, b. 1914) wore this bodice as a dress-up as a child. She donated it BHS in the 1980s and provided additional information on it when visiting the Society in 2004.Khaki green silk bodice, boned around waist. Ecru cotton lace overlay on sleeves and high neck. More lace over shoulders, gathered and tapered down front of bodice. Stripes of velvet ribbon around yoke. Four more stripes of velvet ribbon around upper sleeve, and three around each cuff. Velvet bows and metal buckle at waist. Tape at waist with hooks to attach to skirt. Lined with brown fabric. 20 mother-of-pearl buttons down front.phoebe richardson, phoebe brinsmead, edna baker, 1900s

This dress belonged to Bayside woman Wendy Young, who bought it around 1980 from Melbourne designer Prue Acton's Toorak shop for about $300. She recalled, "It was one of her off the peg creations, but I never saw it on anyone else... she made limited runs, especially as this is hand painted silk." The belt has been signed by Acton.Sleeveless bias-cut dress of watermelon pink silk featuring red and gold hand-painted abstract designs. The dress features a Mandarin collar with a button fastening at the throat. A matching silk belt with tapered ties wraps around the waist.The belt features two signatures in gold paint: "Prue" and "P Acton"prue acton, 1980s, melbourne designers, wendy young