Regular readers of my blog will be familiar with The Darnell Collection, Australia’s largest collection of couture fashion as curated by Charlotte Smith and presented in her wonderfully illustrated book Dreaming of Dior.

The Darnell Collection incorporates over 5,000 garments and accessories from the 18th century to the present one and small sections of it are made available through exhibitions at galleries and museums around Australia – for example, 1980s couture was recently featured in an exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery.

Now The Darnell Collection is permanently available for study and display at the new Fashion and Textile Gallery –
8 Hill Street Surry Hills NSW 2010. Tel: 9360 0585
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed

As well there are lots of sewing classes, a monthly morning tea, exhibitions and a blog!

Illustration from “Dreaming of Dior”, reproduced courtesy Harper Collins Australia.