Clothing. Infant's cream coloured silk cape with collar and two layers. Semi-circular 180 degrees lined yoke section with round neckline with casing and fold over collar (18 cm). Collar has 9 cm frilled embroidered lace trim with scalloped edges. The cape has two layers both lined with linen fabric. The under layer (110 cm) is edged with 9cm frilled embroidered lace and three horizontal pleats above the hemline. The top layer (52 cm) is edged with 9 cm frilled embroidered lace with a 14 cm panel of embroidered lace across the centre of the cape. The layers create the effect of a long cape with a collar and a shoulder cape. The cape is fastened at the throat with silk fabric ties (8 cm X 50 cm) with fabric frills at the hem.costume, children's, infants cream coloured silk cape

Clothing, cream coloured double layer child's silk cape. Inner cape has 13 cm one piece circular yolk with 7 cm turned over collar. Casing around neck has 4 cm draw string ribbon threaded through. Inner cape is made from one piece of fabric with inverted V shaped insert on LHS extending 40 cm from edge of yoke. Inner cape is fully lined with cotton fabric. Two extra satin lining panels extend from yolk to hem inside both front openings.(7 cm widening to 28 cm at hem). Outer cape is made from one piece of fabric falling 57 cm from the collar. Outer cape is fully lined with cotton fabric with additional satin lining panels inside front openings from neckline to hem ( 8 cm at neck to 30 cm at hem). Both layers have decorative silk embroidery of floral patterns. Outer cape pattern extends down both sides of front opening and continues above the hem line around the cape. The embroidery on the inner cape extends from the lower edges of the front openings and continues above the hem around the cape. The collar is embroidered with silk thread and lined with satin fabric. Old box 524.costume, children's, cream coloured silk cape.

THE HOUSE OF YOUTH label was founded c.1935) by Mr. Samuel Stein. By 1955 Mrs. Stein, his son, Philip, and his daughter, Elizabeth, all played an active part in the business. The connection with Dior came to them without seeking. Dior, that man of fashion genius, had come to the conclusion that the Australian market offered a scope he could not afford to ignore. He questioned many visitors to Paris and decided that the House of Youth was the obvious channel through which his designs should flow to the Australian woman. Completely versatile, this firm is capable of covering every phase of fashion production, from impeccably tailored suits and coats to softly draped, intricately cut dresses and evening gowns. Mr. Philip Stein was modest when asked what Dior thought of their copies, but confessed that Dior, had been "very flattering". Dior had-been greatly impressed with the standard of Australian craftsmanship, and, as a result of the success of this joint Parisian-Australian fashion venture, it is whispered that the great man himself is seriously contemplating a visit to Australia. (Source: The Argus 22 Feb 1955)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 flared cream coloured silk cape caught at the neck and waist with two large buttons covered with the same coloured fabric.Label: House of Youthwomen's clothing, house of youth, evening coats, australian fashion - 1960s

I have lived in Box Hill now City of Whitehorse since 1970 I have belonged to Box Hill Spinners and Weavers Inc. since 1990.During the 90s' Box Hill Spinners and Weavers participated in the Annual Sheep and Woolcraft Show, at that time held in the Melbourne Showground. As well as submitting individual entries we always entered the Group Competition, known as the '5 articles' the entry had to have 5 separate articles made by a group and displaying different woolcraft techniques . In 1997 our Box Hill entry focused on 'The Planets' featuring five capes. The red one representing Mars the red planet. It was woven. The dark cape represented Jupiter. It was also woven. the Neptune cape was felted in blue and greens. The Earth cape featured knitting and crochet. My contribution was the Venus cape featuring spinning from raw merino fleece and silk. Once completed this wool/silk yarn was fashioned using hairpin lace. I was adept at spinning by this time but knew nothing about the old technique of hairpin lace. Box Hill Spinners and Weavers won First Prize. Margaret Dimelow.Cream coloured cape spun from raw merino fleece and silk, technique is hairpin lacecostume, female