This bridesmaid's dress was owned and first worn in 1875 by Alice Frances Henty, the daughter of Francis Henty and Mary Ann (Lawrence) Henty. The outfit was worn at the marriage of her friend Miss Hopkins to Mr ST Staughnton in 1874. Alice's father, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew. Alice (Henty) Hindson's dress, together with other items in the ‘Henty Collection’, was donated by Ann James, a descendant of Francis and Mary Ann Henty, in 2023.
This dress is part of the 'Henty Collection'. The collection is aesthetically significant in that it reveals the fashion trends and the social function of garments owned by prosperous women of European descent in the period. The items are historically significant due to their ownership by women in the Henty family, who with their husbands, and or parents, were among the first European settlers in Victoria. The items have an established chain of provenance, are often rare survivors of colonial clothing, and enable researchers to interpret the fashions worn by notable Australian women during the 1840s to the 1880s.
The ivory silk satin peplum jacket is boned, tailored and very fitted with many princess line panels. The front closure has handmade embroidered buttonholes and covered buttons. The collar and sleeves are decorated with gathered silk tulle frills. The peplum back features a silk cord bow decoration.
Measurements (mm):
PEPLUM JACKET:
Girth - Neck 317.5, Chest 914.4, Waist 698.5, Hip 965.2, Cuff 279.4, Hem circumference 1168.4.
Vertical - From neck to hem 558.8, Front waist to hem 254, Back neck to hem 838.2, Back waist to hem 241.3, Sleeve length 279.4.
Horizontal - Neck to sleeve head 165.1,Cross back 292.1, Underarm to underarm 393.7.
fashion -- 1870s, alice frances (henty) hindson, women's clothing, bridesmaid's dresses
