Clothing. Infant's cream coloured silk coat with yoke front and back. Fold over collar (12 cm) with embroidered flowers on the front with embroidered zig zag edging. Round neckline with casing threaded with 1.8 cm patterned silk ribbon. Yoke sections lined with cotton fabric. Long sleeves gathered all shoulders, with embroidered pattern at wrist with 1.7 cm lace trim. Full length front opening with embroidered zig zag edging that continues around hemline of garment. Floral embroidered patterns across the back of the skirt above the hemline, and at the lower corners of the front panels. Front opening fastened with silk ribbon ties at neckline and one X 1.5 cm button at lower edge of yoke. Gathered skirt is unlined.costume, children's, infant's cream coloured silk coat

Clothing. Cream silk infant's christening coat. Fold down collar on round neckline with squared corners. Collar has four X 5 cm slits - one on either side of the shoulder. Collar has embroidered edges and floral embroidery on each section(5). Yoke at front and back. Skirt sections front and back have 7 cm smocked section where attached to the yoke. Edge of each yoke has decorative embroidered leaves that continue along both edges of front opening and around the hemline. Lower sections of the front skirt have embroidered floral patterns. Long sleeves are gathered at shoulders with 4 cm section of smocking 2 cm at the wrist with 2 cm gathered edge at hem. Front opening is fastened at throat with metal hook and cotton loop, and three X one cm pearl look buttons beside the smocked section. Two silk fabric ties (68 cm X 14 cm) are gathered and attached below the collar an each side front opening. Unlined. All embroidery in cream coloured silk cotton, slightly darker than silk fabric.costume, children's, infant's silk christening coat

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