POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Camisole by Palmers owned by Margaret 'Babby' Reid

Object No. 88/807

This thermal camisole is part of a large wardrobe of clothing worn by Margaret ‘Babby’ Reid (nee Ross Munro, 1898-1987). Margarret 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 liefstyle. 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 camisole. 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 Dr Cecil Willett, The History of Underclothes, Michael Joseph Ltd, London, 1951. Elizabeth Ewing, Underwear: A History, Theatre Art Books, The University of Michigan, USA, 1972.