This collection of garments and photographs belonging to Betty McInerney (nee Stormon) have an excellent provenance and exemplify the sheer extravagance of post war lifestyle and fashion in Australia. Betty was a frequently photographed Sydney socialite. She became famous for her chic appearance and her role in Black and White Committee functions in the nineteen fifties and sixties which raised funds for the Royal Blind Society. Her wedding dress was the piece de resistance of Sydney couturier Beril Jents who designed for many wealthy socialites and visiting celebrities from the late 1940s for many years. On May 31st 1952 Betty married Dr Bob McInerney at St Mary's Cathedral and honeymooned at Wrest Point Casino in Hobart, Tasmania. He became one of Sydney's leading gynaecologists and gave his time generously to many boards and community groups. Betty and Patricia Stormon were the grand-daughters of Thomas and Mary Quilty, a pioneering family from the Northern Territory. Patricia was the principal dancer in the Polish Australian Ballet. Betty was the President of the Kincoppal School Ex-Student Association and a member of the St Margaret's Hospital Ladies Committee. She did not have any children and so was free to socialise and give her time to many causes, Dr McInerney being the principle breadwinner at a time in Australia when many women did not enter the workforce. Betty was keen to document her family history and carefully labelled all her photographs and memorabilia. To enhance her busy social life, Betty owned a very large wardrobe of clothing which illustrated international fashion developments over the course of fifty years.

Wedding gown designed by Beril Jents - 'It was the most complex gown I had ever made. I felt I had built rather than created this dress! The hand-made silk satin roses which spilled all over the peplum were so heavy we had to build a frame of twisted wire and chiffon in the shape of a half-moon to take the weight.'

Beril Jents made the wedding dress. John Hearder, photographer, now a studio in West Ryde. Enid Langby b1919 made five white organza bridesmaid dresses for the wedding but sadly none survive. 'It didn't matter what she wore' Mrs Langby said ' You could put her in a chaff bag and she would look good.'

Betty Stormon wore the wedding gown on 31st May 1952 for her wedding to Bob McInerney at St Mary's Cathedral and at the reception at the Australia Hotel in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Owned by Betty McInerney who is now (2002) in a nursing home.

Wedding ensembles (2), wedding outfit, going away outfit, including photographs (8), designed and made by Beril Jents/ photographs by John Hearder, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1952

Wedding dress: cream coloured wedding dress consisting of a long pencil-line silk satin dress with voluminous overskirt. The sleeveless bodice is draped over the bust with encased bones at each side seam and small loops of fabric to secure brassiere straps. The centre back opening fastens with a metal zipper and a metal hook and thread loop. There are small blue bows are attached inside the piped waistline [probably in reference to 'something borrowed, something blue']. The overskirt falls down towards the back from the waist as a satin peplum covered in clusters of satin and chiffon roses and leaves with faggoted edges. The peplum extends out at the back as a train. From the edge of this falls a stiff rayon taffeta circular underskirt then one of organza, both hems stiffened with wide crinoline bands. Over these is a top layer of many metres of circular frills of chiffon dropping from the peplum. The dress is hand and machine sewn and unlined.

Petticoat: the crinoline petticoat is in two parts and is made of cream calico with horizontal metal hoops and hem frill. It is structured in such a way as to support the peplum under the skirt.

Bridal cap: the bridal cap is made of cream satin over buckram stiffening, bordered with sprigs of self-coloured flowers and a voluminous silk net veil falling from the back. The cap secures to the head with two short lengths of black hat elastic.

Gloves: pair of women's wrist length gloves made of cream kid with pleated detail at the wrist and fastening with a single metal press stud. Inside are the numbers '9505' and '2292' written in ink.

Going-away dress: meltonian blue silk satin going away dress with long fitted sleeves and shawl collar. The right side of the collar and the two slash pockets at centre front at hip level are encrusted with beads and braid. The calf length straight skirt has a self overskirt and self covered belt lined with grey fabric. The dress fastens at the back with a zipper and the sleeves have zippers from elbow to wrist to create a perfect fit. The dress is machine and hand sewn and unlined. There is a matching, tight fitting slip made of blue silk jersey and trimmed with lace at bust and hem. The slip has adjustable shoulder straps, is machine sewn and unlined.

Box with lid: rectangular box made of paper covered cardboard, white on the box and printed yellow on the lid. Inside there are six white cotton ties to secure the dress in place.

Photograph: black and white, landscape format on glossy paper, shows the bridal party outside St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney with large number of guests in the background.

Photograph: black and white, portrait format, show the bride and groom with the bridesmaids and grooms men, guests mill about in the background.

Photograph: black and white, landscape format, shows the bride and groom on steps of cathedral with a line of bridesmaids behind.

Photograph: black and white, landscape format, shows Beril Jents who is holding a fashion photograph, and Betty McInerney, Betty'e pose replicates that in the photo.

Studio photograph: black and white, portrait format, shows the bride and groom posing in a studio with a bouquet of flowers behind them. The photograph is mounted on a folded grey textured paper. The photograph is signed in pencil 'John Hearder FIBP FRPS'.

Studio photograph: black and white, portrait format, shows bride and groom on the steps of St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. Wedding guests mill about in the background. The photograph is mounted on a folded grey textured paper. The photograph is signed in pencil 'John Hearder FIBP FRPS'.

Studio photograph: black and white, landscape format, shows the bride and bridesmaids in a studio setting. From left to right: Sheila Christie, Betty McInerney, Monica Gallagher, Therese Stormon, Shirley McDonald, Patricia Byrne (front). The photograph is mounted on a folded grey textured paper. The photograph is signed in pencil 'John Hearder FIBP FRPS'.

Studio photograph: black and white, portrait format, shows the bride in her wedding dress. The photograph is mounted on white cardboard in a folded buff paper cover. The photograph is signed in pencil 'John Hearder FIBP FRPS'.

Designed: Jents, Beril;

Made: Jents, Beril; Sydney; 1952


Used: McInerney, Betty; St Marys Cathedral; 1952

Used: McInerney, Betty; College Street, Sydney; 1952

Dresses, gloves, veil and petticoats: no marks.

Box: printed on lid 'GERMAIN ROCHER/PTY LTD./HAUTE COUTURE-MODES/TEL. 28 2016 (2 LINES) CABLE. ADDR. ROCHER, SYDNEY/THE TRUST BUILDING/155 KING STREET/SYDNEY'. Printed and inscribed on white paper sticker adhered to lid 'GERMAIN ROCHER/PTY LTD./HAUTE COUTURE-MODES/5th August 1970/Mrs M.O. Stormon/55 Abingdon Road/Roseville 2069/PLEASE RECEIVE FROM GERMAINE ROACHER/2 Boxes/March 2001/G-A-dress/bridesmaid's dress for Pat'. White sticker inscribed on side of lid 'MY "GOING AWAY"/DRESS'.

Photographs (2): stamped on back 'CONSOLIDATED PRESS LTD./COPYRIGHT/This photo cannot be used for reproduction advertising, or/commercial purpose, and cannot be copied, syndicated,/sold or rented without the permission of Consolidated/Press Limited, 108-173...illeg...Sydney'.

Photograph: stamped on back 'SYDNEY MORNING HERALD/COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH/NOT TO BE/REPRODUCED OR DISPLAYED/COMMERCIALLY/WITHOUT PERMISSION'.

Photograph: inscribed on back 'Keep for/Stan Gr...illeg...'.

Photograph: stamped on back 'DATE/PHOTO BY/John Hearder/CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY/142B KING ST./SYDNEY/BW 9508. XY 3708/PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE AS/ABOVE'.

Photograph: stamped on back 'NO/PHOTOGRAPH BY/John Hearder/CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY/51 CASTLEREAGH ST./SYDNEY/Please quote above number when ordering further copies'.

2003/59/1