STORIES FROM OUR COSTUME COLLECTION

Each item in our costume collection has a story to tell. Through their design and creation, their wear and tear, and their travels through the world, they contain within their fabric tantalising connections to our past and present.

Some hold intimate tales of personal journeys, struggles, losses and triumphs.  Others can tell us about life in Brighton across the years, or reveal to us hidden links between our suburb and wider historical events both in Australia and across the globe.

The research for these stories was made possible by a Local History Grant from Public Record Office Victoria.

Crafting a community Dressing gown circa 1860-1915	Fashion on the Victorian goldfields Day dress circa 1880	Lost labels Evening dress circa 1895	A craze for native fur Possum skin rug circa 1920	Sign of its times Parasol circa 1922-35
A migrant story Shawl, gloves and pearl collars circa 1928-49	Domestic skills Vest 1932	Love prevails Wedding dress 1941	A tale of work Dust coat circa 1948	Fashion homegrown Ball gown 1963