'50s Abstract 1' outfit with accessories by Linda Jackson
Object No. 99/6/9
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
Ensemble with accessories, '50s Abstract 1', womens, dress, head scarves (2) and jewellery suite, cotton / plastic / metal, by Linda Jackson, Australia, 1975
Physical Description
Womens outfit comprising a printed cotton shift dress with two matching head scarves and a jewellery suite of a necklace, brooch and a pair of earrings. Dress: sleeveless, calf length shift dress in printed cotton featuring an abstract design in green, yellow, red and black on a white ground. The dress has a high boat neckline and is trimmed at the neckline, sleeves and hem with black and white striped braid. There are two blobby shaped patch pockets at left and right front at hip level. The dress has a short vent at centre back hem which is also trimmed with the striped braid. Machine sewn and fully lined with black cotton. Head scarves: two triangular head scarves of the same fabric as the dress and trimmed all round with black and white striped braid. One scarf is bigger than the other. Machine sewn and fully lined with black cotton. Jewellery suite: Necklace: short necklace made up of white and black plastic dice and round black plastic beads threaded onto thick black thread. The necklace fastens at centre back with a metal hook and eye. Brooch: small brooch made up of two white and black plastic dice glued together onto a metal pin clasp at the back. Earrings: pair of earrings made up of single white and black plastic die with a metal clasp glued to one side (one of the earrings has the clasp missing).
PRODUCTION
Notes
This outfit was designed by Linda Jackson in Australia. At this time, Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson were very interested in the shape and designs of 1950's garments and were gathering 1950's fabrics to use in their work. Jackson studied fashion design at Emily Macpherson College and photography at Prahan Technical College in Melbourne. In the late 1960's and early 70's she travelled through Asia, and lived in New Guinea in 1969. In 1972 Jackson worked in Paris and developed her interest in working with fabrics draped over a form. In 1973 she showed her first range of clothing at the Bonythong Gallery in Sudney and met Jenny Kee. Later that year Kee opened the 'Flamingo Park Frock Salon', filled with Jackson's 'Jackson couture'. For the next ten years, Jackson and Kee worked as prolific and highly successful collaborators, becoming internationlaly acclaimed for their contribution to a unique Australian style. In 1981 Jackson and Kee staged their last joint show and in 193 Jackson launched 'Bush Couture'. See De Teliga, J., and Jackson, L., 'Linda Jackson, The Art of Fashion', Fontana, Australia, 1987. This outfit was made by Linda Jackson in Australia. This outfit was made in 1975.
HISTORY
Notes
This outfit was possibly featured in the Bondi Pavillion Parade of 1975.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1999
Acquisition Date
3 February 1999
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