The Lives of an 18th-Century Man’s Coat with Paola di Trocchio

In the 18th century, clothing was an incredibly valuable form of currency traded across classes at second hand markets. Beverly Lemire writes, ‘Much of the value in garments was founded on the quality of the fabrics used in their construction, the weight, weave, finish and substance of the cloth, plus the presence or absence of braid, lace, buttons or accessories. A related but less tangible aspect was the element of style - cut, colour, pattern, form and texture – which added cachet to commodities sold in certain markets, with certain buyers, within a finite time frame.’* 

This lecture will chart the transformations of a figured silk coat in the National Gallery of Victoria’s collection which was remade into a circa 1800 coat from a circa 1785 style. Other remakes in the NGV collection, and the clothing trade, provide a study of material culture, self-representation, textiles and dress in the 18th century. 

Paola Di Trocchiois a leading fashion curator, writer, and speaker. In her twenty-year career at the National Gallery of Victoria, she curated and co-curated twenty-two fashion and textiles exhibitions including Edward Steichen and Art Deco Fashion, The Krystyna Campbell-Pretty Fashion Gift, 200 Years of Australian Fashion, Guo Pei among others. She was co-ordinating co-curator for The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier from the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. She is working freelance on several projects. 

Your ticket includes tea or Market Lane coffee served before the presentation, and time to browse our exclusive range of books, gifts, and homewares at TJC Emporium.

This event is presented on-site at The Johnston Collection. Please see your ticket for details. NOTE: Tickets for this event do not include access to our exhibition-house, Fairhall. Guided tours of the current exhibition can be booked separately.

This program is generously supported by The Sir Wilfred and C H (Roger) Brookes Charitable Trust.

Image: Coat and wig-bag, France, c.1795. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.