Christmas Hours

Christmas Hours

Burrinja will be closed from Monday 24th December and will reopen on Saturday 29th December.

New Years Eve
 
Burrinja will be closed on Monday 31st December and Tuesday 1st January, and will reopen on Wednesday 2nd January 2013.


Have a wonderful and safe everyone and see you at the Gallery

The Art of Fashion

The incredible attention to detail is just one of the many things exciting the visitors of  Fashion meets Fiction since it’s opening in November. From the stunning vintage brooches, delicate scarves and gloves, to the sensuous silk flowers, Charlotte Smith has worked her magic to ensure everything ties in beautifully to create the story behind each garment.

Hot off the Press - Fashion Meets Fiction in the Media

Well, behind the scenes here at Fashion Meets Fiction - we've been kicking up our vintage heels in celebration of the press releases and articles featured in several newspapers. How exciting! Thank you to Knox Weekly and Brigitte Grant for sending us these!

Sunday Telegraph - 18th November, 2012. Courtesy of Brigitte Grant, photographer for the Darnell Collection. 

Charlotte Smith on the front cover of the Knox Weekly. Courtesy of Tara McGrath & photographer Ted Kloszynski. Read the full article.

Dressing the Detective - Lunch with Marion Boyce

Marion Boyce sharing her experiences
- see more photos on our Facebook.

This luncheon was held at Burrinja on November 21 as part of the Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition Program. It was an excellent turn out - just shy of 100 people came to listen to Marion, who was a fantastic speaker. Councillor Samantha Dunn was there to open the luncheon with her wonderful humor (we love having Samantha at these gatherings!). We were also lucky to have various press and bloggers such as Yahav Ron from Paris '99 there to enjoy the event.

This was a very popular talk for all lovers of the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries television series and questions could have gone on for ages - everyone just loved hearing about the stories and challenges Marion has come across in her career as a costume designer. Marion's work was simply stunning and we can all agree the audience was completely captivated.

Big shout outs to the ladies and gentlemen who came dressed in vintage attire! What a lovely surprise - they were a bit shy for photos - but they looked incredible in 1940s couture. Also, to the girls with their vintage hair, pincurls and victory rolls - stunning.

Thank you to everyone who came and a big thank you to Marion Boyce for being available to talk about her costume designing career. If you missed out on seeing Marion talk, here is an interview snippet from the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Youtube channel.

Dreaming of Dior - Lunch with Charlotte Smith

Charlotte Smith, curator for the pieces on display at the Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition, was at Burrinja Cultural Centre yesterday to share with us the stories behind the Darnell Collection. With a full crowd seated at the luncheon, Charlotte delighted us with tales of how the collection began with her godmother, Doris Darnell, and how Charlotte came to be the custodian .

It is incredible how one dress can remind you of the most important moments of your life.

For Doris, it was the inspiration of dancing in a peach slipper silk-satin dress, cut on the bias with a low cut back and hundreds of buttons displayed in a Bryn Mawr boutique. Doris first spotted this vision of loveliness in the shop window in 1937, whilst she was still a student at Bryn Mawr College. However it was the Depression and the dress cost $40, which back then would have been almost half her tuition money - too much for a young lady on a scholarship. Also, Doris was a Quaker and to "covet" items was traditionally frowned upon.

These issues did not faze Doris, who visited the dress frequently - until one day, it went on sale for $20. She obtained $10 from her parents (in lieu of birthday and Christmas presents for the next few years) and saved for the rest. Doris wore her dress to a ball at Rutger's University - and on that night, she met her husband.

For Charlotte, who had always been familiar with her godmother's collection whilst growing up, her life changed when Doris arranged for Charlotte to take over as custodian. "I received a fax from my godmother saying she was going to be sending 70 boxes. Boxes of what, I wasn't sure; so I cleared out a small corner of my store thinking I was going to be receiving shoes boxes."

What actually arrived was a fully packed truck with boxes approximately waist to shoulder height. The entire delivery weighed around 1200kg and each box contained roughly 50 packaged items, creating a grand total of over 3,500 vintage pieces.

"It was like Christmas for 3 months. I remember the first dress I pulled out; it was a cream, silk chiffon dance dress from the 1920s. It was so light, it just floated in the air and the glass beads... they shone prisms all over my shop front."

It was when Charlotte unearthed her godmother's notebook, detailing all the stories behind the dresses that the value of the collection hit home. "It wasn't until then that I truly realised the importance of what I had been given. Some of the dresses had their own tags or notes attached saying "worn to at Queen Victoria's ball" or the date and event in which the garment was worn. It really is a privilege to be a guardian of not only an amazing collection but also of the stories of people's lives."

She looks familiar! One of the many mannequin
displays at the
Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition

The Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition is currently open. Don't miss out on your chance to see this incredible collection of vintage clothing - it really is something to see!


Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition - The Darnell Collection
When: November 9, 2012 - February 17, 2013
Where: Burrinja Cultural Centre, Cnr of Glenfern & Matson Drive, Upwey VIC 3158
Session Times:
Tuesday-Friday: 10.30am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10.30am-1pm and 1pm-4pm

Tickets Now Available
Purchase tickets online or call Burrinja Cultural Centre on (03) 9754 8723
For more information on the Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition at Burrinja Cultural Centre, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Sing it Loud - Wear it Proud!! Eastern Regional Libraries Supports Loud Shirt Day

Rose, Raelene and Federica at Rowville
Library celebrating Loud Shirt Day!

Everyone has a shirt hidden in their closet that seems to have a visual radio-active energy that makes people eyes burn. It's the shirts we love to hate and hate to throw away, but one day a year we can let that shirt shine with Loud Shirt Day on October 19th. In the spirit of the Fashion Meets Fiction exhibition and bringing together fashion with their love of books - that's exactly what the staff at Eastern Regional Libraries did.

Loud Shirt Day is an initiative created by the First Voice Organisation that focuses on providing listening and spoken language therapy to deaf children in Australia and New Zealand. First Voice is a world class leader for the early childhood intervention and research for children who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Currently, First Voice have supported more than 1,000 hearing impaired children in Australian and New Zealand and perform almost 70 cochlear implant procedures a year.

And didn't the librarians look absolutely smashing? Eastern Regional Libraries raised $136.00 for Loud Shirt Day to go to the First Voice Organisation. Congratulations!

Fashion Meets Fiction Opens Today!!

Time to celebrate!! We are so excited!

After so much hard work getting it all set up, the gallery looks devine.

The Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition opens today at 10:30am at Burrinja Cultural Centre.

It's not too late to get tickets to the sessions, so book in now. Don't miss the opportunity to check out this display of literature and fashion from decades past - it is simply phenomenal to see how fashion and literature were so influential in characterising popular culture today.

Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition - The Darnell Collection
When: November 9, 2012 - February 17, 2013
Where: Burrinja Cultural Centre, Cnr of Glenfern & Matson Drive, Upwey VIC 3158
Sessione Times:
Tuesday-Friday: 10.30am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10.30am-1pm and 1pm-4pm

Tickets Now Available
Purchase tickets online or call Burrinja Cultural Centre on (03) 9754 8723
For more information on the Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition at Burrinja Cultural Centre, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Guide Dogs Cocktail Party Cancelled

Fashionable Puppies

We are sad to annouce that the Official Fashion Meets Fiction Cocktail Party for Guide Dogs Victoria has been cancelled on Thursday November 15th at 7:30pm.

The exhibition extends their apologies for any inconvenience! Ticket holders will be notified and refunded.

However, we are still excited to be supporting Guide Dogs Victoria as our official charity - so stay tuned for the photos from a puppy fashion-shoot with guide dogs.

-- Cancelled --
The Official Fashion Meets Fiction Cocktail Party
When: Thursday 15th November 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Burrinja Cultural Centre, Cnr of Glenfern & Matson Drive, Upwey VIC 3158

Vintage Cocktails for a Spicy Night at Fashion Meets Fiction!

Have you booked your ticket to the Official Fashion Meets Fiction Cocktail Party to help support Guide Dogs Vicotria?

Here are some vintage cocktail recipes that were popular in the 1930s and 1940s for inspiration! During this period, cocktails mainly consisted of gin, rum, brandy or whiskey. Many of the recipes had been around for a very long time, but it wasn't until the 1930s during Prohibition and the 1940s  that they gained widespread popularity.

Sidecar
1 measure Cointreau
1 measure brandy/cognac
1 measure lemon juice
Shake with ice and strain into sugar-rimmed cocktail (martini) glass and garnish with a strip of lemon rind.
** Is said to be credited to a Parisian bar tender who was asked to prepare a beverage by an American captain that would take away the chill from being outside.

Mint Julep

2 measures bourbon (American whiskey)
8-10 fresh mint leaves
1 tbsp caster sugar
Put mint, sugar and a dash of hot water in a short glass, grind together, then spoon into a tall glass over crushed ice. Add bourbon, top off with crushed ice, stir well and stand to chill until the ice is partially melted. Garnish with mint leaves.
**One of the oldest cocktails of them all. Originiated in the southern United States, probably during the eighteenth century.

 

Gibson
half measure dry white vermouth
2.5 measures gin
2 cocktail onions
Pour vermouth and gin into a glass with ice, stir and let chill for 30 seconds. Skewer onions on a cocktail stick and place in a cocktail (Martini) glass so onions rest at the bottom. Strain vermouth/gin into the glass.
**As an alternative to the Martini, with an onion garnish instead of an olive, the Gibson is thought to have originated in San Francisco's Bohemian Club in 1898.

Manhattan
2 and a quarter measures American rye whiskey
1 measures sweet red vermouth
Dash of bitters
Maraschino cherry to garnish
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail (Martini) glass, garnish with the cherry.
 **Often referred to as "The King of Cocktails", the Manhattan is thought to have made its debut in the 1870s at a banquet hosted by the notorious Lady Randolph Churchill (yes, that's Winston's mum).

Zombie
1 measure white rum
1 measure light rum
1 measure dark rum
1 measure apricot brandy
1 measure pineapple juice
1 measure papaya juice
½ measure rum
Dash of grenadine
Shake all ingredients other than the 151-proof rum with ice. Pour drink and ice into a tall glass and top with the high-proof rum.
**Legendary 1930s recipe created at Don the Beachcomber restaurant in Hollywood as a hangover cure and became popular at the 1939 World's Fair in New York.


The Official Fashion Meets Fiction Cocktail Party
When: Thursday 15th November 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Burrinja Cultural Centre, Cnr of Glenfern & Matson Drive, Upwey VIC 3158
Cost: $55.00
Bookings essential phone 9754 8723 or book online.

Oo La La - Paris is Dancing Mad in 1913

Courtesy of the Wearing History Blog.

The credit for this wonderful find goes to blogging fashion historian Wearing Fashion. This is an excerpt from a McCall's magazine in 1913 that has some beautiful illustrations of the clothing worn by society ladies during this time. It is featured with a charming little article about public dances and tea parties - now those were the days...

Clothing worn by the Edwardian lady consisted of many, many layers! The first undergarment layer was a combination of a vest and pants set. A corset went over the top, its busks fastened with metal clips down the front, and laced up the back. Silk pads were often attached to the hips to enhance the 'hourglass' look and make the waist appear more slender.

Next came the camisole and knickers, which were always white. Then came silk or woolen stockings - typically black, white, or grey - and were held up by garters. The last of the undergarments was the waist-petticoat made of silk and was tied around the waist.

Finally, after all that, the lady would put on either a dress or skirt and blouse. If ladies wore a blouse and skirt, then a stiffened belt that fastened in the front was also required to be pinned onto the undergarments so that there could never be a gap. Lastly, shoes, and gloves, and, well....just imagine how long it took to get dressed and undressed!

Recommended Reading

A Room with a View by E. M. Forster
Woman in Black by Susan Hill
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Guide Dogs Victoria Cocktail Party

Oh, how ever so civilised!

There is nothing quite like frocking up in your best evening attire and going out to mingle with a classy beverage in one hand and tickets for the Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition in the other.

In honor of our fist week of opening and in support of our charity partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria, Fashion Meets Fiction will celebrate with an Official Cocktail Party at Burrinja Cultural Centre on Thursday 15 November at 7:30pm. All funds raised from this event will go to Guide Dogs Victoria.

All are welcome to partake of this enchanting evening of delightful fashions showcased from the Darnell Collection and support this wonderful cause.


When: Thursday 15th November 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Burrinja Cultural Centre, Cnr of Glenfern & Matson Drive, Upwey VIC 3158
Cost: $55.00

Bookings essential phone 9754 8723 or book online.

Over $800 raised at the Boronia Fashion Parade

Jasminder, modelling a lovely
summer evening dress

Boronia Library has once again set the standard that you don't have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks. Style on a dime was all the buzz at Boronia Library last Friday when they hosted their annual Fashion Parade with a $860 dollars raised for charity. With a record turn out of over 70 people, guests were treated to a catwalk presentation and then unleashed to explore the clothing racks and stalls from the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Erica Louise's Recycled Fashions.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence had a wide selection of tempting items - there wasn't much left by the time everyone went home. All proceeds from the clothing sold on the night went to the Brotherhood of St Laurence, with a total of $500 raised. Most popular were the items that had been modelled in the catwalk show, with fashionable designer dresses including Ojay, Tokito and Forever New being sold for no more than $7.

"Fashion is so affordable," Hillary from Ferntree Gully remarked. "I don't know what to choose. I want to take everything home!"

Julie, from Boronia, a returning attendee, was thrilled with the skirt she found for $4. "I came last year and walked out with a beautiful blouse that has seen so much wear since I bought it. Now, I've found this skirt - I absolutely love it, can't wait to match it up at home."

 Sarah, along with her mum Valerie, also found a bargain in a beautiful dress (modelled by Jasminder in the above photo) for going out to dinner; "I think it's so pretty, can't wait to wear it."

Erica Louise from
Recycled Fashions

Erica Louise, from sustainable fashion blog Recycled Fashions, also had a stall with a number of gorgeous zipper brooches for sale with proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation. "It is definitely hard to choose," said Maria, from Boronia. "What a great idea to make with zippers - so clever - and they are so cute." If you missed out on these little gems, don't worry - you can still find these fantastic zipper brooches made by Erica Louise on her Recycled Fashions website.

With ticket sales and the contributions from Erica's zipper brooches, a total of $360 was raised for the McGrath Foundation.

There was also a chance to win two tickets to the Fashion Meets Fiction - Darnell Collection Exhibition at Burrinja Cultural Centre opening later this year. Congratulations to our winner Candice!


Behind the scenes, we also have to give a big shout out and thank you to everyone who was able to make this fantastic evening so successful.

Linda (Branch Manager) - Event Organiser
Karen - Wardrobe Mistress
Mark - Catwalk MC
Phillip - Lighting and Music DJ
Sharon, Bernadette, Jacqui, Judy and Jasminder - our gorgeous models. Well done, ladies!!
Erica Louise - for making those lovely zipper brooches from Recycled Fashions.
Ladies from the Brotherhood of St Laurence - for managing those busy, busy stalls!

Grace Kelly and the New Look - Late 1940s Fashion Revolution

Post World War II saw a remarkable change in fashion. With restrictions to fabric and other materials being lifted, fashion designers were once again free to express their craft in a recovering economy.

Christian Dior can be credited as the genius behind a style that changed a generation and inspired the style of the full circle skirts of the 1950s. It was Dior's belief that women were tired of uniforms and the somewhat harsh and oppressive styles that clothing took during WWII. In 1947, Dior released a line of clothing called "Corelle", named after the frail petals that line the centre of flower buds. However, as the popularity of the collection spread across US and European magazines, it became quickly referred to as "The New Look".

"I wanted my dresses to be constructed, molded upon the curves of the feminine body, whose sweep they would stylize," Christian Dior proclaimed in one autobiographical interview.

A new lady-like charm was being adopted and screen idols such as Grace Kelly became the fashion aspiration of many women. The "New Look" is characterised by the return of the hourglass figure, as natural curves and edges were softened. For instance, shoulders were no longer squared, but rounded. Darts returned to many skirt and dress styles to accomodate smaller waists and natural curves that were enhanced by the generous use of fabric. Hemlines varied, but skirts were full and accented with multi-layered petticoats that made the "New Look" style very glamourous and appealing.

Genuine Dior "New Look" gowns should nearly stand up by themselves due to the excessive amount of material used to create them. The interlining, interfacings, petticoats and bonings used by Dior were all designed to create a garment that could more or less support itself.


Recommended Reading

To Catch a Thief by David Dodge
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson

Soldiering On - Early 1940s Fashion

Practicality was the essence of 1940s fashion. It is unmistakable that the advent of World War II had a tremendous impact on fashion. People were still feeling the sting of the Depression from the 1930s, so the move into the pragmatic and durable fashion of the 1940s was easily adopted.

Fabric in the 1940s was rationed in order to supply the war effort. Nylon and wool were both needed by the military for parachutes. Wool was used for soldier's blankets. Japanese silk was banned in the USA after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Metal from zippers were needed, and buttons (whilst also in short supply) were used sparingly and not ornamentation. Man-made fibres, such as rayon (made from wood fibre) became the material of choice, namely for its versatility - as it did not shrink or crease and could be made in either heavy or light weights.

Attitudes to fashion also changed. Everyone was expected to make do with less and to make it last. "Make do and mend" was the motto of the time. For instance, jackets were often made out of recycled blankets. Shorts could be made out of recycled sheets or pillowcases and many bridal gowns were made out of nighties. Even Hollywood could no longer afford the elaborate and flowing gowns featured by many renowned starlets that graced the movie screens during the 1930s. In fact, anything extravagant was considered unpatriotic.

This in turn influenced the overall style of fashion during the World War II period. Official restrictions were put in place in the UK, US and Australia that specified the amount of fabric a garment could be made of. Everything was streamlined to be practical, durable and to be made with the least amount of material as possible. Hemlines in the 1940s rose, and the general cut of fabric was boxy to maximise material usage when laying out pattern pieces. Shoulder pads were added to these lean, straight styles to emulate the military look of the time.

It was during the 1940s that the concept of "separates" was introduced. Mix'n'match options were encouraged to allow people to have greater wardrobe variety with their limited choices. Pants, once considered scandalous to be worn by women, became a staple of every woman's wardrobe and were quickly accepted for their versatility across all aspects of daily life.

The Cat's Meow - Slang in the 1920s

Sparkly! Beaded Cap
Image Courtesy: Queens of Vintage

The 1920s was the first decade that emphasised the culture of youth over older generations. In celebration of this social shift, new slang and vernacular language emerged, such as seen on the conversations in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher mysteries.  Many of the terms and phrases coined during this period are still widely used today.

• Applesauce - an expletive same as horsefeathers
• Bank's Closed - no kissing or making out 
• Bearcat - a hot-blooded or fiery girl 
• Bee's Knees - An extraordinary person, thing, idea; the ultimate
• Cat's Meow or Pyjamas - The best or greatest, wonderful.
• Cheaters - Eyeglasses
• Clam - a dollar
• Dead soldier - an empty beer bottle
• Dolled up - dressed up 
• Dry up - shut up, get lost 
• Ducky - very good 
• Fire extinguisher - a chaperone 
• Gams - A woman's legs
• Hair of the Dog - a shot of alcohol
• Heebie-jeebies - The jitters
• Hotsy-totsy - Pleasing
• Joe - coffee 
• Joint - an establishment, usually a bar or a speakeasy
• Moll - A gangster's girl
• Razz - to make fun of
• Real McCoy - The genuine article
• Ritzy - Elegant
• Rubes - money
• Sinker - a doughnut
• Speakeasy - An illicit bar selling bootleg liquor
• Spiffy - Elegant 
• Swanky - Ritzy
• Wet Blanket - a solemn person, a killjoy
• Whoopee - To have a good time or an intimate encounter
• You slay me - that's funny

Vintage Couture with Anne Dixon at Lilydale Library

Anne Dixon is one of our most popular fashion historians - and she is back again this October to present a selection of her Vintage Couture collection at Lilydale Library. Anne will provide a beautiful showcase of items ranging from the 1920s up the 1970s and discuss how fashion was influential on social attitudes and change. Creations from designers such as Chanel, Yves St Laurent and Dior will also be on display.

Also, one lucky guest will win two tickets to the Fashion Meets Fiction - The Darnell Collection Exhibition at Burrinja Cultural Centre that opens in November.

When: Tuesday 9th October 2:00pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: Free Event with Refreshments provided.

Bookings essential phone 9294 3120 or book online.

Boronia Library Fashion Parade - Back by Popular Demand!!

Boronia Library is once again hosting their very popular Fashion Parade. In conjunction with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Fashion Parade will feature a range of gorgeous and affordable couture that can be found in op-shops. A range of styles and sizes will be on show, with all items on display being available for purchase (and much more!) on the night. Last year raised over $700 for our charities, so we're hoping to top it this year!

There is also a chance to win two tickets to the Fashion Meets Fiction - Darnell Collection Exhibition at Burrinja Cultural Centre opening later this year.

Special guest fashionista, Erica Louise will also be available on the night for free up-cycling advice for your wardrobe. So with a glass of champagne, a fashion consultant and a catwalk presentation - looking good for less was never this much fun.


When: Friday 12th October 7:00pm
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: $5 (with all proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation)

Bookings essential phone 9762 4099 or book online.

Willow - Our Guide Dogs Victoria Mascot

Guide Dogs Victoria were our official charity at our Media Launch at Burrinja Cultural Centre on August 17, 2012.

Here's a picture of the lovely Willow, who was our mascot for the day. Isn't she just beautiful?

To check out more photos of our media launch, head on over to our Facebook Page.

Dreaming of Hollywood - 1930s Fashion

Hollywood glamour - Painting
of Mae West (1930, artist unknown).
Featuring a bias-cut gown and
wide-brimmed hat.

Fashion was greatly influenced by the Depression that resulted from Wall Street Crash of October, 1929.  Flappers of the previous decade had matured and social and financial circumstances required people to change their attitudes and lifestyles. As noted by Sears Autumn Catalogue (1930) "Thrift is the spirit of the day. Reckless spending is a thing of the past." Fiction, such as Anita Shreve's Sea Glass is a great example of how lifestyles and fashion had to change during this transitional period.

As a result, fashion saw more garments being produced at home and the availability of patterns available on the market increased. Joseph Shapiro, who established Simplicity Sewing Pattern Company in 1927, was the leading supplier of home-sewing patterns, closely followed by Vogue and McCall. Less manufactured clothing was being purchased as a result. Clothing also became excessively mended and patched before being replaced.

Movies were one of the few escapes from the hard times of the decade and people would flock to the picture houses - referred to as the "talkies" as movies had moved from silent to having sound. As such, women began to idolise the fashion of Hollywood starlets. This saw the return of softer, more feminine style garments as opposed to the boyish, flapper look of the 1920s. Light fabrics such as crepes, chiffon and satins were used to create pieces that moved and flowed with the body. Hemlines dropped dramatically and there was the return of the natural waistline, which were accentuated by bias-cut dresses and skirts. Foreheads, previously hidden by cloche hats, were revealed under a variety of new millinery styles.

Fiction Comes to Life - Darnell Collection Media Launch

Linda in 1930s wool crepe.

Gorgeous garments, great company and some amazing stories - Burrinja Cultural Centre, along with Eastern Regional Libraries, held the Fashion Meets Fiction media launch on August 17, 2012. Charlotte Smith was there to present some of her vintage collection and talk about the histories behind the clothes.

Our models looked absolutely devine. Linda wore a 1930s wool crepe and sequin ensemble inspired by the clothes of Muriel Spark's "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". Jilly modelled a 1950s red silk taffeta dress inspired by the character Della Street in Erle Stanley Gardner's "Perry mason Mysteries". Charlotte also modelled a 1960s gold lame and polyester hostess gown inspired by the wardrobe of Octopussy, a James Bond classic authored by Ian Fleming.

It was a wonderful morning tea, and thank you to all the people who attended! For more photos, check out our Facebook Page.

The Darnell Collection will be on display from 9 November to 17 February.
Tickets are now available - Don't miss out!

The Roaring Twenties - Fashion Style

Actress Alice Joyce wears a 1920s
beaded evening gown.
Image courtesy Library of Congress
Prints & Photographs Catalogue

The fashion of the 1920s celebrated youth and life. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a fantastic depiction of this lifestyle adopted by young men and women. Following the dark and emotionally heavy World War I period, many young men and women turned to a life of lively dance and Jazz music, alcohol and cigarettes and adopted a carefree philosophy that openly challenged conservative attitudes of the preceding period.

In the 1920s, flappers broke away from the Victorian image of womanhood and an androgynous "bachelor girl" shape emerged. Corsets were discarded and chests were wrapped to flatten the chest. Hair was cropped short into a bob, and often tucked under a "cloche hat". Layers of clothing were reduced, became lighter and more flexible and the waistline was lowered to allow ease of movement. Stockings became more sheer (as opposed to the predominant black wool stockings of the previous decade) and were often rolled down. Women began to wear make-up and even apply it in public, created the concept of dating, and took control over their sexual experiences.

Fringed flapper dresses,  long strand pearls and feathered bandeaux characterised 1920s fashion. Evening wear was predominantly made with silk, but velvets, chiffon and taffeta were also common. Embellished with elaborate beadwork, dresses were typically sleeveless and often had trailing sashes, trains or asymmetric hemlines. Fancy combs, scarves, feathers or a bandeaux were often worn in the hair.

Women found their lives changed in more than appearance, however. With women attaining the right to vote, society began to accept that women could be independent and make choices for themselves in education, jobs, marital status, and careers. This was definitely a turning point in history for women - They created what many consider the "new" or "modern" woman.

F. Scott Fitzgerald unpublished story found

Print from vintage cigarette
advertising (1920).
Courtesy of
Vintage Ad Browser.

This month, The New Yorker magazine released a previously unpublished short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby.

The story was found by Fitzgerald's grandchildren amongst a collection of his papers. According to archives, this unpublished work titled "Thanks for the Light" had been rejected for publication by The New Yorker in 1936.

Fitzgerald's short story, "Thanks for the Light", is about an independent business woman in the 1920s who goes about her daily affairs whilst in search of a light for her cigarette. A charming little story and a wonderful insight into the attitudes of women and the importance of appearances during this period.

Be sure to read the full story here.

About Us - Welcome to Fashion Meets Fiction

Welcome to Fashion Meets Fiction! We look forward to having people join us in this great venture that explores the nature of fashion in some of the world's most popular literature. This exciting exhibition presents costumes from the internationally renowned Darnell Collection, embodying the fashion of such favourite fictional characters as Scarlett O'Hara, Holly Golightly, Phryne Fisher and Carrie Bradshaw. Opening on 9th November at Burrinja Cultural Centre, this is a must see exhibition for all lovers of fashion, fiction, design and history.

About the Collection

For over 70 years Doris Darnell, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, pursued a passion for fashion by collecting vintage clothes and accessories. For Doris, the social history behind the items was as important as the items themselves and preserving them and their stories for future generations became an important part of her passion. The Darnell Collection grew out of donations and gifts from around the world. Importantly, most of the items came with accompanying letters, photographs and stories which linked them to the original owners or donors and often to the occasions to which they were worn.

Charlotte Smith inherited her godmother Doris's collection in 2004. It has continued to grow through further bequests to over 5,500 pieces representing 23 different countries and is considered the largest private vintage clothing collection in Australia. Every aspect of a woman's wardrobe since 1720 to present day is included: outerwear, underwear, nightwear, day and evening dresses, wedding dresses, sportswear, shoes, hats, handbags, gloves, jewellery, lace, buttons, fans, feathers, textiles, wire hoop crinolines and bustles.

Men's and children's clothing is also represented as is a large reference library of books, journals and museum exhibition catalogues. As custodian of the Darnell Collection, Charlotte recognises the importance of its role in fashion history education and its role as a design resource. The collection's mission is to preserve, develop and enhance the collection's ability to educate, interpret and inspire existing and new audiences for the better understanding and appreciation of the art of fashion.

For more information on the collection visit www.darnellcollection.com.

Tickets Now Available
For information on the Fashion Meets Fiction Exhibition at Burrinja Cultural Centre, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.