Australia entered World War One as a country informed by the Victorian and Edwardian eras and all of its clothing practices. In particular, the clothes that were worn for mourning mainly followed the traditions of Britain set during the widowhood of Queen Victoria. However, with so many deaths during World War One, it was no longer possible for people to follow the strictures of mourning, and clothing began to change. Join costume expert Fiona Reilly as she examines bygone Australian clothing choices and how we honoured our dead in a changing world. She will also touch on the changing face of mourning rituals and intercultural practices that have been introduced into Australia by successive waves of migrants.
Fiona Reilly is a designer, producer and historian working across theatre, film, television, events and museums. A life-long researcher, she enjoys bringing the past alive – during History Week, in the documentary and film worlds or by staging events that enliven locations and the past. A passionate costume history researcher, she recently left her position as Head of Costume at NIDA to make historical documentaries and bring the past alive for the public. She is a Director of May Gibbs’ Nutcote, a position that brings together her love of history with the work of one of Australia’s most iconic authors and artists.
When: Wednesday 5 September 2018, 7:00pm
Where: Barry O’Keefe Library, 605 Military Road, Mosman
Cost: Free – book online
Contact: d.braye@mosman.nsw.gov.au, 02 9978 4101
Hosted by Mosman Library Services.
Proudly presented as part of the History Council of NSW’s Speaker Connect program for History Week 2018, supported by Create NSW.
