Costumes from the Golden Age of Hollywood

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Posted 2014-11-11 by Natasha Poynton ⇒ follow

Sat 22 Nov 2014 - Tue 26 May 2015

Apart from glamour, what do the costumes of Fred Astaire, Julie Andrews, Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando have in common? They are just some of the gorgeous costumes featuring in the Museum of Brisbane 's new exhibition, , starting on 22nd November.

The exhibition features costumes and memorabilia drawn solely from private collector and Brisbane resident, Nicholas Inglis who has been adding to his collection for almost 20 years. He started collecting in 1997 with a pair of slacks Ava Gardner wore in Mogambo (1953) and has continued for the next two decades, collecting hundreds of pieces from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Christopher Salter is Deputy Director of the museum of Brisbane and co-curator of the exhibition, with Nadia Buick. They had both heard rumours of an incredible collection of Golden Age memorabilia hidden somewhere in suburban Brisbane. Eventually, they managed to track down Nicholas Inglis through Facebook.

"I think visitors will be astounded by the quality of the workmanship in each costume, the corsetry and beading, the luxurious fabrics" Salter says. "People will also be surprised by how colourful some costumes are, considering onscreen they only appeared in black and white.... The costumes and props are a very real but magical link to some of Hollywood's biggest stars, which is very exciting to share with people."

This year's Museum of Brisbane exhibition features over 100 photographs and 70 costumes worn by some of Hollywood's best known icons of the 1920's through to the 1950's. This includes Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Lana Turner, Barbra Streisand alongside many more, not so memorable names. The exhibition includes not only costumes but also props and other Golden Era collectables. Highlights include Gloria Swanson's silk nightgown in Sunset Boulevard (1950) and a two metre wide ball gown from 1938 film Marie Antoinette.

Admission is free and the show runs from November 22nd 2014, 10am - 5pm daily, at the Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane, level 2 and the Clem Jones Gallery. Costume From the Golden Age of Hollywood exhibition ends on the 26th May 2015.

If you enjoy the exhibition, there are several related events at the Museum of Brisbane, such as the Designing Hollywood lecture on Feb 2nd 2015 with Dr Nadia Buick or a free talk with the collector, Nicholas Inglis on November 23rd 2014 about his fascination about the Golden Age of Hollywood.