Camisole by Lane Walker Rudkin owned by Margaret 'Babby' Reid
Object No. 88/806
This ribbed cotton thermal camisole is part of a large wardrobe of clothing worn by Margaret ‘Babby’ Reid (nee Ross Munro, 1898-1987). Margaret was the daughter of William Ross Munro, one of Eastern Australia’s pioneering pastoralists. and grew up in the grand 23- roomed family home Ross Roy at Indooroopilly in Brisbane, Queensland. Guests to the home included Dame Nellie Melba GBE, who in 1925 presented Margaret with a Carl Bechstein grand piano (MAAS 97/270/1) as a wedding gift when she married barrister Clive Reid (1899-1971) son of former NSW premier and prime minister of Australia Sir George Reid (1845-1918). Margaret’s wardrobe, donated by her daughter, poet Anne Fairbairn AM (1928--2018), comprises high- quality underwear, lingerie, nightwear, day and evening clothes, accessories, cosmetics, and beauty products by Australian and international designers. This personal wardrobe provides insight into Margaret Reid’s taste, style and privileged lifestyle. It documents the changes in her wardrobe over 50 years from 1930 to 1980, from hand-made and bespoke garments to more comfortable, less expensive, ready-to-wear styles like this thermal camisole. The camisole was purchased by its owner or her daughter, Anne Fairbairn, off the shelf, from one of Australia’s longest established department stores, David Jones in Sydney (established 1838). It retains the original retail labels and appears to be unworn. This Canterbury brand garment was made by Christchurch-based New Zealand manufacturer Lane Walker Rudkin Ltd, once considered one of New Zealand’s largest clothing and knitwear manufacturers (1904-2009). Rox De Luca, Assistant Curator, and Glynis Jones, Curator, 2020 References Muriel Barbier and Shazia Boucher, The Story of Women’s Underwear (Volume 2), Parkstone International, London, 2010. Dr Phillis Cunnington and and Dr Cecil Willett, The History of Underclothes, Michael Joseph Ltd, London, 1951. Felicity Price, Lane Walker Rudkin:100 Years in the Making, Hazard Press, New Zealand, 2005.
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Summary
Object Statement
Camisole, womens, cotton / nylon lace, ‘Canterbury’ brand, made by Lane Walker Rudkin Ltd, New Zealand, retailed by David Jones, Sydney, owned by Margaret Reid, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1970 -1987
Physical Description
Hip length, white ribbed cotton knit thermal camisole. White nylon floral lace bra top with nylon lace braid shoulder straps. Unworn with original label ‘Canterbury’ and price tag ‘David Jones $4.95 size 14’
DIMENSIONS
Height
640 mm
Width
250 mm
HISTORY
Notes
David Jones was established in Sydney in 1838. In 1914, it opened a dress-making factory in Marlborough Street, Surry Hills, and manufactured ready-made items that would eventually dominate its clothing range. In addition, it stocked imported goods like this New Zealand-made camisole. Lane Walker Rudkin Ltd, established in 1904, was one of New Zealand’s largest clothing and knitwear companies, manufacturing popular brands like ‘Canterbury’ and ‘Jockey.’ It was impacted by the 2008 global recession and went into receivership in 2009.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Ms Anne Fairbairn, 1988
Acquisition Date
18 October 1988
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