East Melbourne Group | Private Tour

We're delighted to welcome members of the East Melbourne Group and their guests to a private tour of Fit For A King: Vincent Jenden Reimagines The Johnston Collection

The much-anticipated Australian Royal Tour by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and the accession of King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark herald an exciting year. To celebrate, the interiors of historic East Melbourne townhouse, Fairhall, have been theatrically reimagined by guest curator Vincent Jenden.

Taking centre stage is a glamorous twilight banquet set with Georgian glassware and a glittering array of important silver from The Roger Brookes Bequest. Champagne is on ice, a State Bedroom has been prepared, and treasures of British and European fine and decorative arts from The Johnston Collection have been carefully placed throughout the house in anticipation of the royal visitors.

Interior designer Vincent Jenden has a passion for cleverly combining old with new. His creative re-arrangement blends contemporary styling with beautiful objects from the seventeenth-, eighteenth- and nineteenth-centuries to evoke a sumptuous sense of occasion Fit for a King.

About the Guest Curator

VINCENT JENDEN is a New Zealand-born, Australian-based interior designer. As founder of Vincent Jenden Design (VJD), his thirty-year career has taken him from New Zealand to London and then to Melbourne.

When re-imagining Fairhall, Vincent’s starting point was the grand country houses and estates in Great Britain and Europe that he has visited throughout his career.

"I have always taken inspiration from rooms that have been designed with a purpose, as opposed to the open plan, multifunctional interiors and spaces that have become so popular in recent decades in Australia," said Vincent. "What quickly became apparent when entering Fairhall was the larger entertaining rooms: The 'Green Drawing Room' on the ground floor and the 'Yellow Room' on the upper floor. These spaces inspired me to think of the many celebrations and occasions hosted in rooms of this scale. I visualised glamorous evening banquets, distinguished guests, royal visitors and the much anticipated Australian Royal Tour by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2024".

As a self-proclaimed 'maximalist', Vincent's style layers antiques, art, and sumptuous fabrics with modern furniture to create alluring juxtapositions. Fit for a King is a visual feast that celebrates the many treasures of The Johnston Collection.

Your ticket includes:

- an introduction to The Johnston Collection by one of our knowledgeable Volunteer Guides 
- an intimate tour experience with no more than 8 visitors per guide (groups of up to 22 are welcome) 
- tea or Market Lane coffee served from our Wedgwood fine bone china 
- time to explore a wide range of exclusive gifts, books, and homewares at the TJC Emporium 

This exhibition is supported by The Friends of The Johnston Collection.

Image: Adam Luttick | Luts Photography