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Terms and conditions of use
Dress
(c. 1878)
Medium
silk, cotton, metal
Measurements
173.0 cm (centre back) 37.0 cm (waist, flat)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Miss I. B. Strachan, 1971
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Most historical garments acquired by the Gallery lack their original undergarments. This necessitates intimate investigations in order to achieve the correct silhouette (and make the right impression) for the purposes of display. While major stylistic changes in Victorian women’s fashions give general clues to the shapes required underneath, detailed knowledge of construction techniques and pattern-making practices are also essential to make the works sit correctly. Sometimes size is also a challenge, and many works require strategically placed padding to fill out the garment to its original wearer’s proportions.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
D10A-1971
Department
Australian Fashion and Textiles
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest