National Costume Museum
Tucked away in the Adelaide Hills is a real gem of a museum for the fashionably inclined: the National Costume Museum (incorporating the Helen Hughes Collection). They have fashion (men and women) ranging through the ages from the first settlement of South Australia, through to designer gems of the 1970’s (including a Pucci original just hanging casually on a hanger in the aisle as you walk through the displays) and gowns worn by celebrities. They’re not far in the distance behind glass either. This is one of those wonderful museums that trusts the patrons to keep their hands to themselves, and allow you to get right up close to the garments so you can see the details. This is especially interesting if you’re interested in sewing or costume making, and wardrobe designers for films drop in from time to time to research period details for their next project.
The very oldest pieces came from the collection of Helen Hughes who, in a sea chest inherited from her mother who came to Australia in 1937, found her great-grandmother’s wedding dress and her great-great-grandmother’s printed cotton afternoon dress.
The necessary details:
Cost: $3
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Location: Adelaide Hills Business and Tourism Centre, 1 Adelaide-Lobethal Road, Lobethal, SA.
If you want to arrange a tour, their number is 0438-879-017.
We were lucky enough to get our own personal mini-tour when we arrived, with plenty of time afterwards to wander around and inspect the more interesting articles at our leisure. I was even shown (and allowed to touch) many of the garments that were being mended in preparation for display, and the personal attention and wealth of knowledge of the ladies who work here was astounding and fascinating.
The very oldest pieces came from the collection of Helen Hughes who, in a sea chest inherited from her mother who came to Australia in 1937, found her great-grandmother’s wedding dress and her great-great-grandmother’s printed cotton afternoon dress.
The necessary details:
Cost: $3
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Location: Adelaide Hills Business and Tourism Centre, 1 Adelaide-Lobethal Road, Lobethal, SA.
If you want to arrange a tour, their number is 0438-879-017.
We were lucky enough to get our own personal mini-tour when we arrived, with plenty of time afterwards to wander around and inspect the more interesting articles at our leisure. I was even shown (and allowed to touch) many of the garments that were being mended in preparation for display, and the personal attention and wealth of knowledge of the ladies who work here was astounding and fascinating.
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