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. Phil Bacon was one of a number of Melbourne fashion manufacturers who emerged in Melbourne following the Second World War. The cocktail dress was once owned and worn by a resident of East Kew.Gold satin cocktail dress, gathered at the waist with beading on the bodice. The zipped opening is at the back.women's clothing, australian fashion - melbourne - 1950s, cocktail dresses, phil bacon

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 emerald green, satin evening dress, owned by Gwen Steele, was worn by her to a reception for Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 at Government House, Melbourne. [The personalised printed invitations are kept in the Subject File 'Gwen Steele'.]Emerald green, satin cocktail dress with shoe-string straps.royal visit (victoria) 1954,, gwen steele, women's clothing, australian fashion - 1950s, cocktail dresses

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.Beige tricel and viscose knee-length cocktail dress with pleating and an abstract fabric flower of the same material on the right front. The dress was retailed by Deja Petite of Melbourne.australian fashion - 1960s, women's clothing, cocktail dresses, melbourne fashion designers - deja petite

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 'dance frock' by Park Avenue Gowns is one of a number of garments in the collection by this designer.Metallic thread silk cocktail dress and wrap by Park Avenue Gowns, 1960. Virtually identical dresses by the designer were featured in the Australian Women's Weekly in 1960, described as 'dance frocks', to which the wide flairing skirt would be well suited.Label : "Park Avenue Gowns"women's clothing, cocktail dresses, dance frocks, australian fashion - 1960s, fashion designers - melbourne (vic) - park avenue gowns

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.Outstanding black silk crepe cocktail dress with extensive use of glittering silver and red metal sequins. The sequins are used on either side of the red ribbon bordered neckline, on the sleeves and on panels of the skirt. The dress incorporates an attached fabric tie at the neck and a separate belt.cocktail dresses, weir collection, fashion - 1920s, edith mary weir (nee betteridge), illapa - 84 princess street - kew (vic.)

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 garment was created by Margeaux (Melbourne) which specialised in the production of "high-class cocktail and evening wear" (The Age, 17 March 1956).Knee length short sleeved grey silk and grey tulle cocktail dress with an attached outer covering of patterned lace of a lighter grey colour. The garment has the label of ‘Margeaux Regd. Imported fabric’. There is a zip at the back. There is some discoloration (due to sun damage?) to the lace at the shoulders. australian fashion - 1950s, margaux of melbourne, cocktail dresses, 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. This cocktail dress is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Marion Blatchley.Plum coloured silk taffeta underdress with a black sequinned overdress and belt.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1970s, cocktail dresses

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 cocktail dress is one of a number of items donated to the collection by Rosemary-Vaughan Smith.Pale pink satin embroidered evening dress with ruched hem and heavy gold braid.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1970s, evening wear, cocktail dresses, rosemary vaughan-smith

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

Founded in Ballarat, Victoria in 1888 by Eleanor Lucas, by the mid-20th century, the Lucas Clothing Factory employed hundreds of local workers (popularly known as the "Lucas Girls"). The company was a pioneer in Australian textiles, producing the country's very first knitted nylon tricot and manufacturing luxury Vanity Fair lingerie under license for the domestic market. As Lucas shifted from utility wear and intimate apparel into upscale daytime and evening wear during the 1940s and 1950s, they launched specialised fashion lines. The Jill Heriote line was created as their signature high-end ready-to-wear and cocktail range. The line became widely celebrated for its elite tailoring, structure, and use of both premium local and imported fabrics Designers working under this line, such as Eve Ogilvie, translated sophisticated European aesthetic trends directly to the Australian market.This garment represents a pinnacle of mid-century regional Australian fashion manufacturing. Operating from Ballarat, Victoria, E. Lucas & Co. utilised elite local designers to compete directly with imported European couture houses. The gown showcases the firm’s pioneering expertise in fine, permanent textile pleating, applied here to luxury pure silk rather than everyday synthetics.This bias-cut silk and lace cocktail dress sold under the label 'Jill Heriote' for the House of Lucas, Ballarat, features a narrow waist and a dramatically flared skirt. The overdress is constructed from intricate, black imitation Valenciennes machine-made lace. It layers over a cream silk taffeta underdress that shows through the openwork and extends structurally past the hemline. The bodice is designed with shoulder straps leading into a sweetheart neckline. Its form-fitting structure showcases panels of finely pleated black silk, creating texture across the bust. Below, the full skirt alternates between sheer black lace segments and contrasting horizontal bands of smooth black silk.Label" 'LUCAS / Jill Heriote / in pure silk fabric'jill heriote, house of lucas -- ballarat (vic.), fashion -- 1950s, cocktail dresses, manufacturing -- ballarat

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.Sleeveless three quarter length, short-sleeved turquoise coloured lace evening dress. Above the high waistline a fold crosses the bodice and is held by three crystal buttonswomen's clothing, cocktail dresses, fashion and textiles collection - kew historical society, australian fashion -1950s, evening dresses

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Pale pink lace ballerina length dress gathered at the waist to form a full skirt. The dress includes a belt of the same colour and fabricwomen's clothing, cocktail dresses, fashion and textiles collection, australian fashion - 1950s

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 dress is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Annie 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.Black acetate top and skirt. The short top includes a pleated border and shoulder straps, The full dress of the same fabric and colour is comprised of layers to emphasise its natural flaring quality.Label: Tussicocktail dresses, australian fashion - 1980s, women's clothing, evening wear, mcintyre collection, annie mcintyre, tussi

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.Three quarter length dress of ecru needle-run lace with pearl buttons at front to waist and green under slip.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1930s, cocktail dresses, lace dresses

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 dress was made by Mrs Dorothea Fush, the mother of the donor, and won an award for dress making at the Royal Melbourne Show. The award certificate is kept with the dress.Ballerina length black sheer evening dress with shoe string straps. women's clothing, australian fashion - 1960s, cocktail dresses, thea sartori

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 outfit was made and worn by Dorothea Fush, the mother of Thea Sartori. It is one of a number of items in the Sartori Collection.Mother and daughter, Dorothea Fush (nee Winstanley) and Thea Sartori (nee Fush) were both skilled dressmakers. One of the items donated was entered in the Royal Melbourne Show in the 1960s and won an award for home dressmaking. The donation overall dates from the 1950s and 1960s and includes dresses and hats.Gold figured satin dress and organza coat, the latter held by a large button at the neck. women's clothing, evening wear, evening dresses, cocktail dresses, evening ensembles, dorothea fush (nee winstanley), sartori collection

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 dress is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Dione McIntyre. It belonged to her mother Lilian Cohen.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. Two-piece pink silk outfit comprised of a round necked, knee length dress and plain matching silk coat. The dress is scalloped at the waist and bordered with pink glass beads. The dress has the label “Ecstasy Creation : a fine fabric”.“Ecstasy Creation : a fine fabric”.women's clothing, mcintyre collection, australian fashion - 1960s, cocktail dresses

Dorethy Rabinov’s Melbourne-based brand Ricki Reed "became an international success story. Her brand catered to “the petite and young, people who like smart simple dress” and popular with the women lib groups due to her comfortable smart pantsuits. The Ricki Reed’s brand often favored synthetic fabrics designed to keep up with the life of an active, busy woman. Through out the decades, Miss Rabinov dabbled in prairie gowns, tailored pant suits, bold colours and floral prints. Spanning over three decades Miss Rabinov kept Ricki Reed at the front of fashion, keeping ahead of trends and on the bodies of fashionistas." (Source: 'House of Darlington' website). This dress 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. Sleeveless embossed white cotton high waisted cocktail dress designed by Ricki Reed of Melbourne.Nilricki reed, women's clothing, evening wear, australian fashion - 1960s, mcintyre collection

Black satin empire line cocktail dress with white lace bodice featuring gathered fabric detail with half sash on bodice.Label says 'Styled by Daru Fashions' with black and white poodle motif on labelcocktail dress, fashion, lemega, new year's ball

A 10 piece set of calico pattern pieces for a dolman sleeved cocktail dress, unpicked after being sewn together and fitted. Notes along the hemline guide the maker in alterations that can be made, turning the cocktail dress into a full-length evening gown. With this toile, only one side of the garment has been made.ink, cotton

Established by local designer Ralph Samuel, Hartnell of Melbourne was one of the leading high-end Flinders Lane fashion houses of the 1950s and 1960s. This dress still has its original store tag attached, which tells us that it cost 39 pounds, 19 shillings and sixpence - a large amount of money to spend on a dress in 1952. Adjusted for inflation, this price tag equates to approximately $1,480 in today's money.Mauve tucked and folded cocktail dress with twin shoulder straps, ruched bodice and gathered skirt. Rose detail on each hip. Tulle underskirt. Swing tag still attached to back zip.Label, white with blue text: "Exclusively yours, / Hartnell / REGD / MELBOURNE" Swing tag: "THIS GARMENT is made from finest material and designed for the fashion conscious woman / NO. 3633/332 / SIZE SSW / PRICE 39"19"6 / Hartnell of Melbourne Pty. Ltd. / Almond Pink"hartnell of melbourne, 1950s, ralph samuel, melbourne designers, flinders lane

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.Three-piece outfit comprising: three quarter length one-piece black silk cocktail dress with an outer skirt of black tulle; black net bolero embroidered with pink sequins; and black silk circular cap embroidered with pink sequins women's clothing, evening dresses, australian fashion, evening ensembles

This dress was typical of those worn on special occasions usually after 5 pm: eg. dinner dances, balls, weddings. There were many such functions at Mt Beauty and the Kiewa Valley eg. the Hospital BallThis dress was worn by Margaret Mc Kendrick (nee Vyner) who lived in Tawonga when growing up. She married Ian McKendrick and they lived in Mt Beauty. She worked as a nurse at the Tawonga and District hospital. They had three children: Linda, Robyn and Boyd. Ian worked at the Mt Beauty Post Office.Metallic brown taffatta cocktail dress with scooped neck front and back. Princess line in one piece with pleated side panels and back from the waist. Bows either side of the A line at front and three bows from the waistline to the bottom of the zip at the back. Capped sleeves. Skirt lined with stiffening.Label: Styled by Camille Lee of Melbourne'after 5' dress; ladies' clothing; margaret mckendrick; tawonga

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, prominent milliners (such as Christian Dior and Balenciaga) popularised sculptural, draped turban shapes.These compact, artistic styles were designed to complement the neatly tailored suits, neat bouffant hairstyles, and cocktail dresses of the era, making them a staple for formal afternoon teas, weddings, and evening social eventsA mid-century draped turban cocktail hat with an integrated birdcage veil, dating precisely to the late 1950s to early 1960s. It is a classic "half-hat" or stylized turban hybrid. The base is structured to sit securely on the back or crown of the head, framing the hairstyle rather than covering the entire head. The hat features heavy, precise horizontal draping and ruching. The fabric appears to be a high-quality silk taffeta or faille in a rich navy or steel blue, which holds its crisp, structured shape exceptionally well. The sides flare out into elegant, padded horn-like or crescent folds. Attached underneath is a delicate honeycomb netting birdcage veil, designed to drape softly over the upper face or eyes for an air of mystery and sophistication.women's clothing -- hats, half hats, fashion melbourne 1950s, fashion melbourne 1960s

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

Hartnell of Melbourne was one of Australia's premier high-end fashion houses of the 1950s and 1960s, renowned for its dramatic, heavily embellished evening wear and cocktail dresses. Established in 1945 by Melbourne-born designer Ralph Samuel, who had trained as a jeweller prior to serving in World War II, the label brought a sense of Old Hollywood glamour and European haute couture sophistication to the booming post-war Australian fashion scene. Despite early struggles with strict post-war fabric quotas and a massive workshop fire in 1952, Samuel's signature style excelled in intricate hand-beading, structured corsetry, and the fluid draping of luxury silks. This floor-length Hartnell of Melbourne evening gown is crafted from a light-beige silk fabric that falls into a column-style silhouette. The centerpiece of the design is an ornate, Art Deco-inspired bib neckline featuring a scoop collar bordered by metallic hand-beading. Positioned directly below the collar is a prominent diamond-shaped motif constructed from rows of gold and bronze glass beads, which anchor cascading rows of delicate tube-beaded fringe that drape down the front torso in a dramatic, V-shaped pattern. While the centre front of the gown remains smooth and unconstructed through the waist, the lateral sides feature dense, fine vertical pleating that begins beneath the arms and expands outward toward the floor. fashion - melbourne - 1970s, hartnell of melbourne, evening dresses

This dress belonged to Louris White, nee Larsen-Disney, whose wedding dress from 1948 is also in the collection. Louris and her husband lived at 49 South Road, Brighton, just a few doors down from her family.Strapless pink organza cocktail-length dress. Finely pleated bodice and skirt laid on to a heavy vilene. Decorated around the waist with pink organza flowers and two bands of pink satin, one around the bodice and the other around the lower part of the skirt.Label: printed black on cream acetate side front bodice: "Original / Margeaux / REGD. / of Melbourne / IMPORTED FABRIC"evening dress, 1950s fashion, louris holly white, brighton, margeaux of melbourne, joseph haskin

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

This dress was typical of those worn on special 'after 5 pm' occasions eg. dinner dances, weddings, balls. There were many such functions at Mt Beauty and in the Kiewa Valley eg. the Hospital BallThis dress was worn (and possibly made) by Margaret Mc Kendrick (nee Vyner) who lived in Tawonga when growing up. She married Ian Mc Kendrick and they lived in Mt Beauty. She worked as a nurse at the Tawonga & District hospital. Ian worked at the Mt Beauty Post Office. They had 3 children.Pink satin ladies cocktail 'after 5' dress. Sleeveless fitted bodice. Pleated skirt with straight front and back panels. Zip at back is full length. It's jacket has a matching lace, long sleeved, scalloped edge, with 5 covered buttons at the back and 6 press studs.'after 5' dress; ladies clothing; margaret mckendrick; tawonga