Uniform (jacket) of Honorary Major George Bagot Stack (V.D.), circ 1890-1900. Photo: Cavalcade of History and Fashion.

8 September – 5 November

A vibrant display of five historic garments spanning over 100 years, from the early 1800s through to the 1920s are showcased for History Week 2012.

A young boy’s black velvet suit, is one of three that were made for Ori, Roy and Leo Pastega, sons of an Italian migrant family. The suits were made by their mother, Luigia Pastega, who, like many Italian migrant women, was known for her excellent needle skills.

Captain George Bagot Stack’s regimental uniform has a striking red jacket with brass buttons. Captain Stack retired in January 1894 from the Second Regiment of the NSW Volunteer Infantry and was made an Honorary Major, receiving a Volunteer Officer’s Decoration (VD). The uniform, sewn completely by hand, was manufactured by David Jones, thought to be the oldest department store in the world.

A rare example of a tiny boy’s everyday clothes from the early 1800s, a late 1880s corset and a 1920s David Jones silk brocade evening dress are also on view.

Read more about the Australian Dress Register

The garments are sourced from the Australian Dress Register, a rich, online collection of significant and well provenance men’s, women’s and children’s dress from communities across Australia. Collections of the Cavalcade of History and Fashion, Griffith Pioneer Park Museum and the Powerhouse Museum.