The Subiaco Museum held a special event today for historical fashion aficionados and those interested in how museums date outfits, as part of its Museum Mornings series.
The How to Read a Dress session explored how garments used to be constructed and where the inspiration for their designs came from through key points in history.
It looked at how dresses varied based on the occasion, age and social status of the wearer, and discussed the changes in fashion in the early part of the 20th century.
It included a number of the museum’s most fragile and oldest pieces in the collection which are usually stored in temperate controlled conditions. Some of the pieces had never been on display before and included:
- a mourning dress, dated between 1900 and 1914, that belonged to Abrilda McKennay (nee Hancock) of Onslow Road, Shenton Park
- a mustard crepe afternoon dress with embroidery, dated 1936
- a green velvet evening dress, circa 1935, owned and worn by Mayoress Mrs J Abrahams
- a grey silk frilled tiered dress with side fastening and press studs bought by Miss Russell in Paris in 1938/1939 when she was a student at the Sorbonne.
Beverly Water attended the special event because of her interest in fashion over the years.
“I am so pleased I went to the talk and exhibition,” she said. “It was so informative and also included history of people associated with the outfits.”
Museum Mornings are held on the first Thursday of the month at the Subiaco Museum between 10am and 11.30am.
They are a good opportunity for older adults to meet new people, share some memories, and learn some interesting history over a free morning tea.
Keep an eye on our event calendar for more details.