Home Sewn is Doris de Pont’s third exhibition in what hopefully will be a full series of pop-up exhibitions focused on the often-overlooked aspects of fashion – the previous exhibition looked at the role of the colour black…
What: Home Sewn, a pop-up exhibition
Where: Australis House, Britomart (Customs St)
Who: NZ Fashion Museum Trust, Curator, Doris de Pont
When: Open til 26th September
Excited chatter can be heard as small groups of women gather around dresses and coats, pointing out various details of displayed garments, all home sewn by various women (and one man), bringing to light the history and tradition of home sewing in NZ.
Home Sewn is Doris de Pont’s third exhibition in what hopefully will be a full series of pop-up exhibitions focused on the often-overlooked aspects of fashion (the previous exhibition looked at the role of the colour black in our fashion). Each of the garments were made for specific occasion; a school ball, a glamorous awards presentation, or simply because the husband was an executive and a dress was needed for a dinner to impress.
There is a range of garments from different eras, the stylish 1930s, through to the bright psychedelic 60s to the cool classical modernity of today, along with a range of materials and styles. While each of these was made for a particular purpose, the wider context is also on display. Women in the 30s through to the 60s and 70s often sewed at home due to import restrictions, but with the 1984 revolution, the desire to sew became driven by a need for something that fitted well and was particular to that women’s body.
The collection is thoughtfully put together, and complemented by a detailed history of each garment, which reveals that the desire to sew clothes at home has not at all disappeared, but continues, keeping vital skills alive.
Christopher Dempsey 21 September 2012
Images from Home Sewn.
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