Fashion Treasures

Aucklanders will be able to enjoy a unique exhibition of historic fashion and accessories from the fascinating collections of the NZ Historic Places Trust by guest curator Angela Lassig, as part of Highwic's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Angela is well known for her exhibitons and is also the author of 'New Zealand Fashion Design' published in 2010.

One of the oldest garments in the exhibiton will be a man's white linen dress shirt dating from the early 1800s, which was hand-sewn by Hannah Hansen in Australia for her husband-to-be, John King. The couple - two of New Zealand's earliest missionaries - married in 1812 and settled in New Zealand in 1814.

By way of contrast the exhibition will also showcase some stunning examples of fashinable clothing from the 1890s through to the 1920s - the Victorian, Edwardian and 'Flapper' eras - which have been donated to the NZ Historic Places Trust over the years.

For this exhibition Angela has delved into the largely unexplored costume collections of Highwic, Alberton and Ewelme Cottage in Auckland, and Te Waimate Mission, Clendon House and the Kerikeri Mission Station in Northland.

Fashion Treasures at Highwic runs September 1 to October 7 (Highwic closed Mondays and Tuesdays).