Historical information

This Item is part of an outfit owned, worn and donated by Annie McIntyre. Worn in 1986 it was part of a major collection designed by Vivienne Westwood. The V&A includes information about the minicrini collection that Westwood launched in Spring/Summer 1985 which "...marked what Westwood described as a "cardinal change" – a shift towards tailoring and "things that fitted" – and a more deliberate focus on reworking ideas taken from historical dress. The stand-out garment of Mini-Crini was Westwood's short, bell-shaped skirt – another cheekily sexual garment that combined the outline of a child's party frock with an abbreviated version of the Victorian crinoline."

Significance

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.

Physical description

Blue woollen 'minicrini' by the British designer Vivienne Westwood.

Inscriptions & markings

A note written by Dione McIntyre accompanying the item describes its relevance and use:
"Vivienne Westwood 3-piece ensemble purchased in London in the 1980s - consisting of navy 'twin set' and balloon skirt - worn with long white socks and dark flat shoes. Donated by Annie McIntyre."