Exhibitions
Every month, as part of the ongoing Outfit of the Month series, the Museum exhibits a special item from its extensive fashion and textile collection.
Each month when the new Outfit of the Month is installed, a fashion floor talk is held at 12.15pm on a Friday to enable visitors to delve deeper into the garment’s history. Look for information on the Museum’s social media pages or at wrm.org.nz.
Lila Campbell’s Dress
April 2024
The owner of this smart sleeveless dress with accordion pleats and matching belt wore it for almost two decades.
Isobel Duncan Blouse
March 2024
An example of a must-have fashion item at the turn of the twentieth century.
1830s-1840s Walking Dress
February 2024
This delicate dress made from cotton muslin typifies the fashion of the early Victorian period.
Jean Lambert Evening Gown
December 2023
Jean Lambert wore this glamorous evening gown made from gold satin and brocade lamé in the 1930s.
Jean Trench Evening Gown
November 2023
Made from black silk faille, this 1930s gown was worn by Jean Doris Grace (née Trench) as a 26-year-old in 1939.
Eileen Duggan Gold Dress
October 2023
A distinctly 1920s style dress made from fine cotton lawn and worn by well-known New Zealand poet Eileen Duggan (1894-1972).
Midge Channon Maxi Dress
September 2023
This stunning maxi dress made from a boldly printed chiffon was sewn by Muriel ‘Midge’ Channon, a long-time museum staff member from 1972 to 1992.
Jean Lambert Evening Coat
August 2023
From the period of the Roaring Twenties, a loose-fitting evening coat in a ‘flapper’ style, made from a rich lamé-based devoré velvet fabric.
Joan Worthington’s Trouser Suit
July 2023
Joan Worthington, formerly of Whanganui, bought this trouser suit in the USA, probably in Kansas City in about 1974.
Harriet Woon’s Evening Dress
June 2023
An oyster-coloured silk taffeta dress with woven black stripes, embellished with black velvet ribbon, dating from the mid to late 1860s.
Mary Williams Lamé Evening Gown
May 2023
This gown was made and worn in the early 1930s by Mary Green Williams, a member of the well-known Whanganui family of J. Williams Jewellers.
Edith Christie Evening Gown
April 2023
From the early 1900s, a delicate satin evening gown made of silk georgette and embroidered lace, and embellished with gun metal, pearl and glass beads.
Patricia Forsyth Ensemble
March 2023
A halter neck full-skirted dress and a short jacket with a mandarin collar, worn by Patricia Forsyth in 1953 for while on a voyage to England on RMS Rangitiki.
Sharon Dell’s Kaftan
February 2023
A flowing woman’s kaftan of satin cotton, originating from Nigeria and worn by a former director of the Whanganui Regional Museum.
Harrison Wedding Ensemble
January 2023
An elegant, watered silk faille costume of skirt and jacket, which dates from the mid to late 1860s.
Georgette Evening Gown
December 2022
This 1930s flapper style georgette, tulle and silk evening gown was designed and made in Whanganui.
Gertrude Croom’s Tea Dress
November 2022
A delicate art deco-era floral tea dress made of satin, in 1939.
Muslin Walking Dress
October 2022
An elegant women’s walking dress made of muslin cotton, in England, around the start of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1837.
Merle Higgie’s Evening Gown
September 2022
A glamorous late 1950s evening gown made of delicate lilac-coloured net fabric over satin and decorated with hand-made rose adornments.
Rabbit Hair Coat
August 2022
A glamourous 1950s white rabbit fur coat made from around 120 white rabbit pelts, lined in rayon brocade, and with a large, teased sheepskin collar.
Huia Gibb’s Red Brocade Dress
July 2022
A stunning handmade two-piece evening ensemble dating from the 1970s, featuring both a sleeveless, floor-length gown and a matching, fur-trimmed coat.