Outfit by Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson
Object No. 99/6/14
Jenny Kee collection of clothing, textiles, artwork and archive, Australia / England / Japan / Africa / USA 1967-1995 Jenny Kee (born Sydney 1947) is one of Australia's most important designers, best known for designing and retailing a unique range of colourful clothing and knitwear. One major theme links all aspects of this collection, Jenny Kee's love of Australia's unique natural environment. Her garments are a canvas for her artwork featuring images of native flora and fauna, the opal gem stone and urban icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The Jenny Kee collection and archive was acquired by the museum in 1998 and 1999. They document the evolution of her clothing and textile designs, the creative process behind her designs, the development and management of her retail outlets Flamingo Park and Jenny Kee, the significant role she played in environmental activism in Australia and her public profile as a celebrity artist with-in the advertising industry. The collection and archive document her life and work over twenty years and includes clothing and textiles by Jenny Kee as well as Kee's business partner Linda Jackson (b. 1950), original artwork for many of Kee's designs, business records, newspaper and magazine clippings, videos of parades, parade invitations, props and programmes, shop mannequins, shop signs, scrapbooks and posters. The collection and archive not only records Jenny Kee's life and work, but also can be read as a document that charts important cultural changes in Australia. Kee was born in Bondi, to a Cantonese businessman father and Italian/British mother. An early newspaper clipping shows her modelling as the face of Canadian Airlines. In the 1960s, she, like many other young Australians, spent several years enjoying the creative atmosphere of 'Swinging London'. She returned to Australia in the early 1970s and attracted by the encouraging cultural climate of the new Whitlam led Labor government, decided to stay. Kee then opened her Flamingo Park' 'frock salon' in the Strand Arcade in Sydney selling her own designs as well as the work of other innovative designers like Linda Jackson, Peter Tully (1947-1992) and David McDiarmid (1952-1995). Many of the pieces sold through the shop are included in the collection as well as signage, programmes and videos of the lively parades she and Linda Jackson produced. The collection preserves a unique record of this important designer's personal and professional career from the 1960s through to 1995.
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Summary
Object Statement
Outfit, womens, consisting of top, trousers, hat, cardigan, shoes (pair), brooch and earring, nylon / wool / plastic / metal, designed by Linda Jackson / Jenny Kee / Vivienne Westwood / Peter Tully, Australia / England, 1976
Physical Description
Top with belt: fitted top made of hot pink, bright green and lime green striped nylon jersey. The top has a very high collar and long dolman sleeves. The proper left side opening of the collar fastens with seven fabric covered buttons and fabric loops. The top is machine sewn and unlined. There is a sash belt of the same fabric. Trousers: a pair of loose fitting, slim legged trousers made of the same pink and green striped nylon fabric with an elasticised waist. The trousers are machine sewn and unlined. Hat: fitted cap with a knot at the front made of the same pink and green striped nylon fabric. The hat is machine sewn and unlined. Cardigan: loose fitting cardigan made of thick pink woollen yarn with a shawl collar, long straight sleeves and two patch pockets at left and right front at hip level. The cardigan has a handknitted design comprising black stripes on the sleeves and trim around centre front, hem, collar and pockets. On the back is a woman's face (Jenny Kee's) wearing glasses, red lipstick and with black hair. On the front there is a yellow 'J' on the proper right front and a green 'K' on the proper left front in Chinese style lettering. Centre front opening fastens with a pink nylon zipper. The cardigan is hand knitted, hand sewn and unlined. Shoes: pair of mules made of dark pink leather, they have high stiletto heels and short platform sole. The shoes have black plastic soles and brown and pink leather innersoles and lining. Brooch: 'Jenny Kee' brooch made of red plastic painted with black design of a woman's face wearing glasses and smiling. The brooch has a metal pin clasp glued to the back. Earring: small earring made of yellow plastic in the shape of an artist's pallete painted with blobs of different coloured paint. Glued to the back is a metal clasp.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Outfit made by Linda Jackson, jumper designed by Jenny Kee, jewellery designed by Peter Tully in Australia and the shoes were designed by Vivienne Westwood in England. The design of Kee's jumper reflects the development of the Jenny Kee Face logo and her increasing interest in her Chinese heritage. Outfit made by Linda Jackson, jewellery made by Peter Tully in Australia and the shoes made by Vivien Westwood in England. This outfit was made in 1976.
HISTORY
Notes
This outfit was probably featured in Le Cafe in Park Street parade of 1976. Jenny Kee was also wearing the jumper when she and her daughter Grace were involved in the Granville Train Disaster. Both survived and the jumper subsequently became more significant.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1999
Acquisition Date
3 February 1999
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