THE MANNEQUIN The included wooden mannequin made by J.A. Walker of Melbourne has been very well used, as can be seen from the pin marks and split and torn fabric in areas where pins would have been used many times. The painted wood of the bodice is wearing away. The top of the neck is very rough in the centre, indicating that it possibly had a knob, handle or even a head shape on top. The mannequin could have been used for storing and cleaning of the evening outfit and even in the process of making it. It is made to match the measurements of the outfit beautifully and would be close in measurement to Mrs. Isabella Mitchell. Isabella’s sister-in-law Eliza Russell made her own wedding dress and perhaps she or Isabella herself made the evening outfit using the mannequin for fittings. The mannequin is significant as its size gives an image of the shape of the evening outfit’s owner. It is also significant as an example of the process and skills to create garments of fashion during the period, with many people making their own garments. The mannequin is also an example of an item manufactured in Melbourne in colonial times. This wooden display mannequin is from neck to floor length. It has a round pedestal. The mannequin’s bodice has been painted black. It is padded then covered in black fabric. The maker of the mannequin was J.A. Walker of Melbourne. It dates to the mid-late 19th century.Mannequin maker’s fabric label “J.A. WALKER / MANUFACTURER / MELBOURNE”mannequin wooden, mannequin made in melbourne, dressmaker’s mannequin, 19th century mannequin, dress form, display mannequin, custom made mannequin, dressmaker’s dummy, andique mannequin, clothing display, j.a. walker manufacturer melbourne, j.a. walker mannequin manufacturer, evening outfit

This gown was the winning entry in the Mannequins and Models Guild's Gown of the Year competition, held at the Chevron Hilton Hotel, Melbourne in November 1963 in aid of the Torch Bearers for Legacy. Designed by Lorna White for Hartnell of Melbourne and modelled by Marien Brindley, the dress’s construction is reputed to have consumed 300 hours, with the finished dress weighing 6 kilograms and costing around 3000 pounds. Evening gown made of cream ribbon lace and a rich latte-colured satin; applied beading. Cut with a high waist, short sleeves and deep V at centre back. Boned interior bodice. Centre back zip and train. gown of the year, hartnell of melbourne, lace, beading, ralph samuel, lorna white, marien brindley