POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Barbie doll wearing Qantas uniform

Object No. 2010/70/1-16

This donation consists of forty-two Ken and Barbie dolls dressed in Qantas uniforms hand-made by John Willmott-Potts, who worked as a cook and flight steward with Qantas for 24 years. Each doll represents a different Qantas uniform design from 1948-2009 and where possible John matched the Barbie to the date the uniform was released. The uniforms were crafted from original patterns which a friend of Willmott-Potts miniaturised to enable John to fit them for the Barbie and Ken dolls. This collection brings together, and makes visible, the entire set of Qantas uniforms in a non-pictorial format. The patterns, and some of the cloth used, have been sourced from originals. They were originally used as part of a travelling display entitled 'Stiches in Time'; a talk on the history of Qantas which John delivered to schools, museums and libraries in rural New South Wales. John Willmott-Potts's story, and collection, is a unique example of one man's passion for this iconic Australian Company and the culture which it bred among its staff.

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Summary

Object Statement

Doll, Barbie wearing Qantas uniform with 'Redback' hat, plastic / textile, doll made by Mattel, probably Indonesia, 1998, design based on original Qantas uniform designed by Madame Germaine Rocher, 1971-1974, made by John Willmott-Potts, Young, New South Wales, Australia, 1998-2010

Physical Description

The Barbie doll is wearing a dark blue, knee length skirt and jacket, with gold buttons down the centre, a white skivvy and a silver brooch. She also has on a pair of brown heels, her hands are painted black to look like gloves and she is carrying a black handbag. Her hat is also blue, with a red stripe down the centre and a gold gem at the front.

DIMENSIONS

Width

110 mm

Depth

45 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

This is a miniature version of the Qantas uniform designed by Germaine Rocher and worn by Qantas flight attendants from 1971 -1974. It is part of a collection of miniature Qantas uniforms made by former Qantas steward John Willmott Potts between 1988 - 2010.

SOURCE

Acquisition Date

18 October 2010

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