POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Barbie doll wearing Qantas flight attendant uniform from 1987-1994

Object No. 2010/70/1-26

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 (1 of 42), Barbie, wearing Qantas flight attendant uniform from 1987-1994, plastic / textile, doll made by Mattel Inc, United States of America, 1998, costume made by John Willmott-Potts, Australia, 1988-2010

Physical Description

The Barbie doll, with blonde hair tied back, is wearing a full length white dress with a pattern of blue, brown and yellow Qantas symbols. The dress is accompanied by a scarf of the same pattern. She has on a pair of black heels, a black belt with gold buckle and is carrying a black handbag.

DIMENSIONS

Height

300 mm

Width

90 mm

Depth

45 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

This is a miniature version of the Qantas uniform designed by Yves Saint Laurent and worn by Qantas flight attendants from 1987 - 1994. 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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