Jenny Kee collection of clothing, textiles, artwork and archive, Australia/England/Japan/Africa/USA 1967-1995

Jenny Kee (born Sydney 1947) is one of Australia's most important designers, best known for designing and retailing a unique range of colourful clothing and knitwear. One major theme links all aspects of this collection, Jenny Kee's love of Australia's unique natural environment. Her garments are a canvas for her artwork featuring images of native flora and fauna, the opal gem stone and urban icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

The Jenny Kee collection and archive was acquired by the museum in 1998 and 1999. They document the evolution of her clothing and textile designs, the creative process behind her designs, the development and management of her retail outlets Flamingo Park and Jenny Kee, the significant role she played in environmental activism in Australia and her public profile as a celebrity artist with-in the advertising industry.

The collection and archive document her life and work over twenty years and includes clothing and textiles by Jenny Kee as well as Kee's business partner Linda Jackson (b. 1950), original artwork for many of Kee's designs, business records, newspaper and magazine clippings, videos of parades, parade invitations, props and programmes, shop mannequins, shop signs, scrapbooks and posters.

The collection and archive not only records Jenny Kee's life and work, but also can be read as a document that charts important cultural changes in Australia. Kee was born in Bondi, to a Cantonese businessman father and Italian/British mother. An early newspaper clipping shows her modelling as the face of Canadian Airlines. In the 1960s, she, like many other young Australians, spent several years enjoying the creative atmosphere of 'Swinging London'. She returned to Australia in the early 1970s and attracted by the encouraging cultural climate of the new Whitlam led Labor government, decided to stay. Kee then opened her Flamingo Park' 'frock salon' in the Strand Arcade in Sydney selling her own designs as well as the work of other innovative designers like Linda Jackson, Peter Tully (1947-1992) and David McDiarmid (1952-1995). Many of the pieces sold through the shop are included in the collection as well as signage, programmes and videos of the lively parades she and Linda Jackson produced.

The collection preserves a unique record of this important designer's personal and professional career from the 1960s through to 1995.

This ensemble was designed by Linda Jackson in Australia.

Jackson studied fashion design at the Emily Macpherson College and photography at Prahan Technical College in Melbourne. In the late 1960's and early 70's she travelled through Asia, and lived in New Guinea in 1969. In 1972 Jackson worked in Paris and developed her interest in working with fabric draped over a form. In 1973 she showed her first range of clothing at the Bonython Gallery in Sydney and met Jenny Kee. Later that year Kee opened the 'Flamingo Park Frock Salon', filled with Jackson's 'Jackson Couture'. For the next ten years, Jackson and Kee worked as prolific and highly successful collaborators, becoming internationally acclaimed for their contribution to a unique Australian style. In 1981 Jackson and Kee staged their last joint show and in 1983 Jackson launched 'Bush Couture'. See De Teliga, J., and Jackson, L., 'Linda Jackson, The Art of Fashion', Fontana, Australia, 1987.

The quilt is the inspiration for this design, with small squares and stripes of different coloured fabrics 'patched' together.

Made by Linda Jackson in Australia.

This outfit was made 1977-1978.

This outfit was worn by Jenny Kee.

Ensemble, womens, shirt/skirt/trousers/cap, 'Abstract Patchwork', cotton, Linda Jackson, Australia, 1977-1978.

Shirt: womens oversize shirt made of multicoloured patchwork in cotton pieced in a geometric design. The shirt has a high stand collar and long straight sleeves. There are two black and white patch pockets, one at proper left breast and the other very large one at proper right front at hip level. There are long vents at side seams at hem and a centre front opening that fastens with one black fabric covered button and thread loop at centre front neck. The shirt is machine sewn and fully lined with red cotton.

Skirt: womens full, mid-calf length skirt made of multicoloured patchwork in cotton pieced in a geometric design. There are two large patch pockets at proper left front and proper right back at hip level. The skirt is gathered to an elasticised waistband. It is machine sewn and unlined.

Trousers: a pair of womens loose fitting, slim legged trousers made of multicoloured cotton patchwork in verticals stripes. The trousers have two slash pockets at left and right side seams at hip level. They have an elasticised waist and turn up cuffs with black and white striped facing. Machine sewn and unlined.

Cap: close fitting balaclava style cap made of crocheted polychrome cotton yarns in horizontal bands. There are eye and mouth holes on the front and two short ties that fasten the cap at centre back neck.

Designed: Jackson, Linda; Australia

Made: Jackson, Linda; Australia; 1977 - 1978


Used: Kee, Jenny; Australia

On shirt: black fabric label inside centre back neck 'MADE BY/Linda Jackson/SYDNEY', white fabric label in same spot 'DRY CLEAN ONLY'.

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