Why has 1945 been selected as the cut off date?
The pre 1945 date was selected to focus the program on the older more fragile textile objects believed to be most at risk. Of particular interest is the identification of colonial dress in collections and those older items where information about their origins is still available.
What will be included on the Register?
The Australian Dress Register will document significant and well provenanced men’s, women’s and children’s dress in New South Wales dating up to 1945. An entry can include the accessories associated with the garment, for example shoes, bag, hat, shawls, coat, underwear that were worn as the entire outfit.
How do I know if my garment is significant enough to go on the Register?
Significance refers to the historic, aesthetic, technical and social values associated with an item of dress and its place in a community. A well provenanced object may be more appropriate than a very beautiful one without accompanying information. Dress to go on the register should include items that reflect normal daily life or occupations. It is envisaged that a broad range of dress will be included. Discussions with regional co-ordinators may assist in this decision making. The Museum will review entries before they go online and may request additional information before uploading the registration.
Is it just for dress in NSW collections?
The project has been envisaged as an initial stage for what is hoped will develop into a broader and ongoing program. For this first stage dress which is held in NSW, either in private or public collections, is eligible for the Register.
Is there a limit to the number of garments I can register?
Yes. Each organisation or private individual will be limited to a maximum of five entries (outfits) on the Register. This is to limit the overall numbers and ensure resources for the delivery of the program are not overwhelmed.
Can I put a hat or a pair of shoes on the Register?
At this stage the primary focus is dress and accompanying accessories.
I have a wedding dress which belonged to my grandmother. Can I put it on the Register?
Wedding dresses will be included as long as they are accompanied by good documentation and images where possible.
What do I have to do if my object is included in the register?
The register is not about facilitating physical access to objects. While the images and information will be online in some special cases the details of the ownership or location of an object may be withheld for security reasons. Once you have entered the item of dress on the register it will be available for all to share, compare and discuss online.
How can I be involved? How can my organisation be involved?
You can be involved as an individual if you feel you have a significant example of Australian dress which is pre 1945. Organisations can be involved as registering objects in their collections, as a host for one of the workshops associated with the program, or as a regional partner for the project coordinating the collection of data for a particular district or region.
When will the Australian Dress Register be available on the Web?
It is envisaged the website for the Australian Dress Register will be launched late 2009. Then the Powerhouse Museum will be seeking partners to collaborate on the project and support the training and skills development opportunities which will be provided to promote the program, support the documentation of dress and the uploading of data for the website.
How can students be involved in the project?
Students will be very useful as volunteers in regional museums and galleries to assist with documentation. Research into makers, family and community history can be most helpful when deciding which objects to choose. The wealth of information available on the Register will be a useful resource for teachers across the curriculum areas.
How can I access training for the documentation for the Register?
The register will include links and modules to assist with, not only completing the register, but the whole spectrum of assessing, handling, photographing, storing and displaying dress in small collections. Regional partners will host workshops held at strategic locations across the State.
Do I need a photograph of my garment to include in the register?
Yes. Photographs of the garments are essential. Information on how to best photograph a dress or outfit will be provided to those participating in the register. It is hoped that there will be in some instances associated material will be included in the entry for the dress, such as historic photographs (for example wedding photographs), or scans of the purchase receipt, wedding certificate, or press reports.
Can I include an audio recording of an interview providing information on the history of the dress?
Yes. Audio recordings will be able to be uploaded online.
