Linda Jackson reworked the original Chinese opera top adding new lining.

The opera costume was made some time in the 1920s, the skirt and top were made by Linda Jackson some time in the 1970s.

While in London in 1971 Linda Jackson met some Chinese women who she subsequently visited in Kuala Lumpur in 1972. One of them had a trunk of Chinese opera costume worn by her mother Jia Lipu, who is said to have been a singer in Shanghai in the 1920s. Linda purchased some of these costumes and used them as resource material for her textile and clothing designs. She also reworked some pieces and wore some of the garments to functions.

Waistcoat, Chinese opera, silk/sequins, maker unknown/Linda Jackson, China/Australia, 1920-1975.
Sleeveless top with round neckline made of white cotton and orange silk and lined with orange silk. The top ties at the left shoulder seam and left side seam with silk cord ties. It is decorated with copper coloured and gold sequins and orange beads is a stylised floral motif. At centre back neckline there are two fabric labels, one black with 'CREATED BY/Linda Jackson', and a white one 'DRY CLEAN ONLY'.

Designed: Jackson, Linda; China

Designed: Jackson, Linda; Sydney

Made: Jackson, Linda; China; 1920 - 1975

Made: Jackson, Linda; Sydney; 1920 - 1975


Used: Lipu, Jia; Shanghai, China

Used: Lipu, Jia; Sydney

Black fabric label: 'CREATED BY/Linda Jackson', white fabric label: 'DRY CLEAN ONLY'.

94/261/6

380 mm