The Paris End

During the first decades of the 20th century, the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street, as it was affectionately known, was a popular home to the artistic community of Melbourne. Many artists, musicians, writers and theatre performers lived and worked at the top end of town. A number of Melbourne’s leading photographers including Athol Shmith, Jack Cato, Julian Smith, May and Mina Moore, Ruth Hollick and Wolfgang Sievers also established studios in this thriving arts precinct. This exhibition brings together commercial and fashion photography from the 1900s to the 1950s reflecting the changing face of Melbourne.

The exhibition comprises around 80 photographs and associated ephemera. It is presented in four sections; fashion photography, advertising illustrations, portraits and theatrical studies.

Indemnification for this exhibition is provided by the Victorian Government.