The Krystyna Campbell-Pretty Fashion Gift Exhibition

Time is flying and I realised I have neglected my blog.  So I thought I would talk about an exhibition that is currently showing at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). 

Krystyna Campbell-Pretty supported the NGV back in 2015 to purchase a collection of amazing garments, collected by haute couturier Dominique Sirop,  from the 1890s through to the 1970s. The collection totalled of 130 pieces, designed by such famous designers, Worth, Chanel, McQueen, Balenciaga and Schiaparelli.  And even Laurent and Dior. 

Krystyna Campbell-Pretty helped the NGV with this acquisition of this collection, 

in the honour of her late husband, Harold Campbell-Pretty. 

When I visited this exhibition with a friend, we made the mistake of starting at the end of the exhibition. It turned out to be the correct decision, because we were seeing the garments in the chronically order, backwards.  So it felt like one was travelling back in time.  

The Exhibition is displayed amongst the permanent artefacts at the NGV.  It's an interesting way of displaying the garments, but it makes one aware of the other objects in the NGV collection. 

The exhibition begins in the 1890s.  I got such a thrill, seeing garments designed by the Worth clan. It was such a treat to see the details in these Worth garments up and close. 

Right:  Worth, Paris (couture house)
Jean-Philippe Worth (designer)
Day dress c1895



                                                                 

Felix, Paris (couture house)
Auguste Poussincau (designer)
Emile Poussincau (designer)
Dinner dress (1889)

   

Boue Socurs, Paris (couture house)
Madame Sylvie Montegut (designer)
Baroone Jeanne d'Etreillis (designer)
Romance, robe de style 1925 Autumn - Winter 1925 -26

Both garments
Worth, Paris (couture house)
Jean-Philippe Worth (designer)

Evening Dress c1912

 

Pierre Cardin, Paris (couture house)
Pierre Cardin (designer)
Dress 1969 spring-summer 1969

Alexander McQueen (designer)

Alexander McQueen (designer)

It is really worth visiting this amazing exhibition.  These photos are just a small selection of what to see.  I'm hoping to visit again, before it is packed away.


The Krystyna Campbell-Pretty Fashion Gift Exhibition
1st March - 14th July 2019
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St. Kilda Street
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Tickets: Free
Level 2

Book Review - 1920s Jazz Age Fashion & Photographs

1920's Jazz Age Fashion & PhotographsMartin Pel and Terence PepperUnicorn in association with Fashion and  Textile Museum, London 2016
ISBN 978 1 911604 22 8
$34.99 (Aust)

I must admit, my knowledge on 1920's fashion is quite limited.  I have been constantly exposed to 1920's fashion in the TV show's such as, 'Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries' or the later years in 'Downton Abbey'.  So you can understand why I was so excited to see this little gem of a book. 

1920's Jazz Age is initially the book that accompanied the exhibition 1920s Jazz Age Fashion and Photographs at London's Fashion Textiles Museum back in 2016 - 2017.  The publication covers the fashion, accessories and photography throughout the jazz age, 1919 to 1929. 

The first chapter gives the reader a general overview of the 1920's movement.  It was a time of freedom for women especially, able to take off their corsets, cut their hair short and be more free with self expression.  Music, fashion, politics, sexuality,  First World War brought so many changes to the 1920's.  

Fashion in the 1920's wasn't just flapper dressers, this is what modern people tend to just think of, due to Hollywood's interpretation of the 20's.  Fashion expanded with the demand of women par taking in more sport, driving automobiles and employment opportunities. 

Continuing on with the book, we have a chapter about James Abbe, Photographer of the Jazz Age. An overview of his climb in the photography industry is illustrated with beautiful sepia and black and white photos.

The photos of the popular The Dolly Sisters feature in the collection.  I was quite fascinated with these photos, because I had only seen The Dolly Sisters feature in the TV Series 'Selfridges'. 

  The Dolly Sisters portrayed in the TV Series
       'Selfridges'. 

The next section is the Fashion Plates from the collection of Mark and Cleo Butterfield. Here we can fest our eyes on these delicious garments and admire the embroidery and beading.  This is where I feel the reader can appreciate that the 20s wasn't just flapper dresses. 

1920s Jazz Age Fashion and Photography is a great beginners resource for fashion history buffs. The complete overview of the time period is presented in a well balanced way.  History, Politics, Fashion and Music all illustrated with the use of text, and photos, excellent resource. 

Super 70s A Fashion Exhibition

Super 70s A Fashion Exhibition
27 July - 4 November

Recently I visited the latest fashion exhibition at The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Rippon Lea Estate in Elsternwick, Melbourne. This time it's the fabulous 1970's.  To some people they care to forget the 1970's, with it's burnt orange and mission brown, but there was more to the 1970's than these two colours.

The exhibition looks at the 1970's in Melbourne with the use of fashion, images and music.  The costume exhibition has items by Prue Acton, Hilary Floyd, House of Merivale, and so on. I was pleasantly surprised by some of these fashion gems.  So if you want to go down memory lane to the 1970's.

Check here for all the details for the Super 70's A Fashion Exhibition.

Book Review - The Button Box

The Button Box: The Story of women in the 20th Century, told through 

the clothes they wore

By Lynn Knight

Vintage Penguin Random House

2016

What an absolute delight to read Lynn Knight's social history book on buttons.

Knight reflects on a collection of button's in a shoe box that have been passed down in her family.

In each chapter, a button is selected. Knight writes about the buttons connection with her family and with its connection with fashion and society.

An assortment of buttons like a shoe button, baby button, jet button. Mackintosh button, coat button. And my personal favourite the toggle button are just a small selection of buttons she discusses.  When I see a toggle button, I automatically think of the childhood book character, Paddington Bear.

Each chapter intertwines history and quotes, accompanying stories of her family.  The Button Box is an excellent book to illustrate to the reader that the humble button is not just there to help us wear our clothes, the button is there to also tell a story.

Doctor Blake's Ballarat Exhibition

On the weekend I had the pleasure of attending a talk and see an exhibition to do with the Australian TV Show 'Doctor Blake Mysteries', starring Craig McLachlan and Nadine Garner. At the Gold Museum in Ballarat. 

The 2 hour talk , 'Behind the Seams' was an interview with costume designer, Louise McCarthy, and makeup and hair designer John Logue.  Hosted by Nicole Jenkins from Circa Vintage Clothing.

Louise McCarthy and John Logue

Louise McCarthy and John Logue talked about their training and career background. Both have been in the industry for many years. 

The audience heard fascinating insights on the process of designing an outfit for a character from beginning to end. I was amazed to hear that Louise and her team have around 6 weeks and John had a 2 week lead up.  Also to add more stress, two episodes are filmed at the same time.  

Louise explained where she may purchase original vintage fabrics or vintage clothing for the show.  I was amused to hear that I visit the same fabric shops as her self.  John talked about some of his techniques and tricks of the trade, to make sure the actor has the perfect hair silhouette. 

The 2 hour talk was a treasure to hear.  I felt very fortunate to hear these talented people who produce the world of Dr Blake.

                                               ---------------------------------------------------

So after the talk, I and my friend ventured to the Doctor Blake Exhibition. It's a small exhibition, but it's worth it, if you are a fan of the TV Drama. 

I recommend visiting the Exhibition, if you can.  Details here for times, tickets etc. 

Doctor Blake's Ballarat Exhibition

11th April - 3rd September, 2017

The Gold Museum

Bradshaw Street

Ballarat, Victoria

Australia

Book Review - Fashion Victims The Dangers of Dress Past and Present

         

   

      When I first spotted 'Fashion Victims : The Dangers of Dress Past and Present', the cover illustration just grabbed me. With it's whimsical macabre dancing woman to the raised red eyes.  I knew I just had to have it.

Fashion Victims, written by Alison Matthews David is about the history of women, men and children's clothing.  How fashion harmed the maker and the wearer.  Covering the time periods 1700's to the 1930's. However there are mentions of recent events, where fashion has harmed the maker or wearer.

The book is divided into categories, each chapter covering a different aspect of fashion that caused disease, accidents and even death.  Each chapter is illustrated with beautiful photos, cartoons and illustrations.  Davids presents interesting facts with anecdotes and illustrations.


Davids doesn't hold back on the explaining how the
workers were treated badly, especially the

women and children. To illustrate how badly workers were treated here is a chromolithograph of damaged hands, the effects of working with arsenic to make artificial flowers.

Reading the chapter 'Poisonous Pigments : Arsenical Greens' was fascinating, however I did have to laugh at myself.  I was wearing green at the time, when reading the chapter, one became a little paranoid.

Fashion Victims is a valuable resource. Each chapter has excellent detailed, EndNotes. The reader has the opportunity to explore more, if they wish.

Fashion Victims is such an amazing book, it really took me on a journey of the past. I could tell Alison Matthews Davids has such a passion for this subject. Her passion was contagious and was a real joy to read, I would thoroughly recommend this beautifully illustrated and informative book, for anyone who loves fashion and history.



Fashion Victims 
: The Dangers of Dress Past and Present
Alison Matthews David
Bloomsbury, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-8452-0449-5