Belt (part of a bridesmaid's dress)
Production date
1963
Object detail
Description
Self covered narrow belt with hook and eye fastenings and a bow embellishment.
Classification
COSTUME Wedding woman
Maker
Production date
1963
History and use
Designed and made by Gardams Silk Store, this short-sleeved peppermint green silk organza lace knee-length dress with matching belt and ivory lace top was worn by Larraine Kelly, bridesmaid for her sister Jill Chopping (nee Kelly) for her marriage to Noel Chopping in December 1963.
Jill’s and Noel’s small family wedding at Toowong Presbyterian Church encompassed many traditional values of 1950s post-war society while also responding to the important cultural shifts and historical reality of the times they were living through.
Reflecting these changes, Jill's dress veered sharply from the full-skirted, hour-glass shapes of the 1950s to the narrow, columnar empire-line dress shape, echoing the mod silhouettes of swinging London.Designed by one of Gardams’ more flamboyant and talented fashion designers, Roy Wilson, the style of dress is evidence of Gardams up-to-the-minute and reflects a style popularised by international designers such as Pierre Cardin, Oleg Cassini and Yves Saint Laurent during the early 1960s.
Brisbane's oldest family operated fabric store, Gardams was originally set up by Herbert (Bert) Beaumont Gardam who had immigrated to Queensland in 1921. In 1930 following the closure of the Keyser Hosiery Warehouse where he had been an employee for several years, he opened a small shop in Edward Street where he sold locally made hosiery, gloves and lingerie. In 1937, Bert purchased a building in Queen Street where he began to specialise in bridal and evening fabrics.
Four decades later in 1969, Gardams opened a store in Townsville and later established a store in Southport. During the 1980s the business expanded their bridal
department to include off-the-rack gowns, menswear and dress and suit hire. They also opened a travel agency to assist clients with booking honeymoons, car hire, venues and photography.
In 1997, Bert’s son Ewan and his wife Dorothy took over the business and the store moved to Adelaide Street. Ewan and Dorothy currently manage the store which
now operates in the Myer Centre in Brisbane’s CBD.
Jill’s and Noel’s small family wedding at Toowong Presbyterian Church encompassed many traditional values of 1950s post-war society while also responding to the important cultural shifts and historical reality of the times they were living through.
Reflecting these changes, Jill's dress veered sharply from the full-skirted, hour-glass shapes of the 1950s to the narrow, columnar empire-line dress shape, echoing the mod silhouettes of swinging London.Designed by one of Gardams’ more flamboyant and talented fashion designers, Roy Wilson, the style of dress is evidence of Gardams up-to-the-minute and reflects a style popularised by international designers such as Pierre Cardin, Oleg Cassini and Yves Saint Laurent during the early 1960s.
Brisbane's oldest family operated fabric store, Gardams was originally set up by Herbert (Bert) Beaumont Gardam who had immigrated to Queensland in 1921. In 1930 following the closure of the Keyser Hosiery Warehouse where he had been an employee for several years, he opened a small shop in Edward Street where he sold locally made hosiery, gloves and lingerie. In 1937, Bert purchased a building in Queen Street where he began to specialise in bridal and evening fabrics.
Four decades later in 1969, Gardams opened a store in Townsville and later established a store in Southport. During the 1980s the business expanded their bridal
department to include off-the-rack gowns, menswear and dress and suit hire. They also opened a travel agency to assist clients with booking honeymoons, car hire, venues and photography.
In 1997, Bert’s son Ewan and his wife Dorothy took over the business and the store moved to Adelaide Street. Ewan and Dorothy currently manage the store which
now operates in the Myer Centre in Brisbane’s CBD.
Associated person
Registration number
H48090.3
Share
Category
