By NICOLE VALICEK
TWO HUNDRED years of brideswear fashion will be revisted when Williamstown plays host to a historic wedding gown exhibition.
The exhibition, staged at the Williamstown Town Hall, is part of Frock Up Melbourne, Melbourne’s original vintage fashion event.
Organiser Fiona Baverstock said the exhibition will be enough to tickle the taste buds of every prospective bride in Melbourne.
Ten years ago stately home Castle Howard decided to divest itself of its world famous costume collection and two grand sales were held at Sotheby’s in London.
Almost the entire historic wedding gown collection was purchased by Seams Old of Victoria and bought to Australia and will form the core of the exhibition.
The exhibition will also feature an important selection of historic Australian wedding gowns, which tell the stories of home grown brides from 1870s Queensland through to 1949 Manly.
Add to that a wedding gown worn by a Miss Emma Cato in London in 1810, the sad tale of a Scottish Bride who never wore her gown, the stylish custom-made trousseau of Miss Ida Ittner, the bride with the lucky pocket, and even a 1930s mother-of-the-bride frock.
“They can take inspiration from the exhibition, then browse the racks around the vintage fair for a stunning vintage wedding dress,” Ms Baverstock said
“Whether you’re planning a wedding or just love the romance and nostalgia of a bridal gown, whether you’re looking for a classy outfit for a wedding or the races, or whether you just love vintage, (the event) should not be missed.”
The exhibition will be held on Saturday 16 November from 10am to 5pm at the Williamstown Town Hall, Ferguson St, Williamstown.
