The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of lime yellow leather women’s court shoes. A label on the upper states that the shoes are part of the Magnini Elegance Collection or style.Magnini Elegance Leather Upper / Synthetic lining / Leather sole / Made in Malaysiawomen's shoes, magnini, elegance collection, footwear

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Elegance: Warunga, Myers Street, was the former family home of Mr. George Mackay. Picture taken circa 1900.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Elegance: Kisbou Court at 93 Barkly Street, Bendigo, was built in 1869 for Davis Stuart, investor and newspaper owner.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

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 coat was donated by Rona Jenkins.Purple velvet three quarter length coatLabel: "Elegance Reg."coats, elegance -- melbourne, fashion and design, women's clothing

The Kew Historical Society holds a nationally significant Fashion & Design collection. In 2023 this collection was augmented by a donation by descendants of Francis Henty of nineteenth and early twentieth century costumes and costume accessories. These rare and aesthetically significant acquisitions increased the importance of the nineteenth century costume collection held by the Society. Following their accession, the Henty costumes were exhibited with other notable examples of fashion and design, previously donated by descendants of the Coombs and Weir families.28 x Exhibition photos of Fashion in the Age of Elegance 1840-1900, held at Villa Alba Museum during the 2023 Australian Heritage Festival. The exhibition showcased items drawn from the Henty, Coombs and Weir Collections.fashion -- nineteenth century, exhibitions -- kew historical society, henty collection, coombs collection, weir collection

The Kew Historical Society holds a nationally significant Fashion & Design collection. In 2023 this collection was augmented by a donation by descendants of Francis Henty of nineteenth and early twentieth century costumes and costume accessories. These rare and aesthetically significant acquisitions increased the importance of the nineteenth century costume collection held by the Society. Following their accession, the Henty costumes were exhibited with other notable examples of fashion and design, previously donated by descendants of the Coombs and Weir families.7 x Photos of the opening night of Fashion in the Age of Elegance 1840-1900, held at Villa Alba Museum during the 2023 Australian Heritage Festival. The exhibition showcased items drawn from the Henty, Coombs and Weir Collections. Guests included members of Kew Historical Society, Villa Alba Museum, Heidelberg Historical Society, Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Museums Victoria, City of Boroondara, and National Gallery of Victoria. fashion -- nineteenth century, exhibitions -- kew historical society, henty collection, coombs collection, weir collection

c.1890-1905 This Wertheim sewing machine, donated by Sylvia Schultz, direct Ziebell descendent, is a rare early example manufactured in Frankfurt, Germany before the company established production in Melbourne. Its construction during this earlier European phase highlights the global reach of domestic technology that later became central to Australian household life. The machine features highly decorative cast-iron legs with ‘Wertheim’ prominently moulded into the frame, a brass plaque reading Wertheim Francfort with the firm’s pick-axe emblem, and a finely detailed sewing mechanism enclosed by a wooden cover. The treadle base, ornate ironwork, side storage compartments, and mobility wheels together illustrate the craftsmanship and functional elegance characteristic of 19th-century European sewing machines. As part of the Ziebell collection, the machine reflects the domestic craft, self-sufficiency, and technological adaptation of German settler families. It enriches the museum’s understanding of women’s work, household production, and the adoption of imported machinery in everyday life, offering insight into both global manufacturing histories and local cultural heritage. Hand sewing machine on stand with storage compartments. Ironwork frame, very decorative casting. Large wheel on right as part of sewing machine. Two wooden boxes on each side, with brass pull rings. Wooden box also for covering sewing machine. Decorative border around sewing mechanism. Frame is on wheels.Wertheim' cast in iron in centre of frame, and on both sides. 'Wertheim Francfort' on brass plaque nailed onto sewing machine, along with Wertheim symbol of man with pick.domestic items, sewing, machine, wertheim, francfort, domestic