During the nineteen twenties dressing up was a very popular leisure pastime. This outfit beautifully illustrates the fun and stimulation that fancy dress can create. It exemplifies the days when people generated their own entertainment before film, TV & sound systems were readily available. 'Music' is a striking addition to the Museum's collection of fancy dress costume, a theme that was first popularised by Queen Victoria in the 1850s. People would go to great expense and trouble to design a fancy dress costume to take first prize at a party. In this case the garment was made before Alice went on board the ship's cruise becaue she knew there would be dressing up parties on the trip.

The garment is hand made except for the musical staff lines attached by machine.

Worn by donor's great aunt, Alice Bryant, when she travelled overseas by ship. Alice was the organist for the Manly Presbyterian Church and made several acclaimed performances at the Sydney Town Hall. She was the sister of marine artist, Charles Bryant.

Fancy dress, 'Music', women's, silk/velvet, Australia, 1915-1925
Woman's cream silk satin shift with square neck and large collar which falls to a point at front, back and shoulders, the shoulder points each weighted by four halfpennies. The collar, sash and skirt are trimmed with musical notation worked in narrow black velvet ribbon and black velvet covered buttons. The matching velvet headband is decorated with rhinestones to spell 'Music' at the front and ties across the back with two sets of ribbons.

Made: 1915 - 1925

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1915 - 1925