For all that time, her work on the Loel Thomson Clothing Collection has been through images and catalogues.
Finally, the 10,000 items that make up this impressive collection of 200 years of Australian clothing is being assembled at its new permanent home at MOVE at Emerald Bank in Kialla.
“Loel Thomson has taken 40 years to build this collection and we are very privileged and honoured to be taking possession of it,” Ms Short said.
“It is really exciting but also a little nerve-wracking to finally get it on-site and be able to work with them directly.”
Ms Thomson has worked hard to make the transition easy, carefully packing up her current displays into cardboard boxes. When opened, the mannequins are fully dressed, with period hair and accessories ready to be put back on display at Emerald Bank, where MOVE has constructed a purpose-built museum space to display as well as protect the clothing.
The sheer volume of clothing means only around 10 per cent can be properly displayed at any one time.
“As time goes on, I will be doing new exhibitions, I have plenty of ideas, and it will keep changing,” Ms Short said.
When MOVE opens in August it will be the first time the clothing collection has been on permanent display.
A specialist team from Grace Removals, that handles museums and heritage collections, is coordinating the move.
18°C