AFTER FIVE: Fashion from the Darnell Collection

A Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre touring exhibition made possible through the assistance of Charlotte Smith of the Darnell Collection.


AFTER FIVE Fashion from the Darnell Collection is a major exhibition of fashion presenting over thirty garments and accessories from around the world by iconic designers including Christian Dior, Mary Quant, Oscar de la Renta, Bruce Oldfield, Adolpho, Emilio Pucci, Emanuel Ungaro, Christopher Essex, and Franco Moschino.

The exhibition is drawn from The Darnell Collection of International Vintage Couture. Now considered Australia’s largest private collection of fashion, the collection has an intriguing provenance. The core of the collection was put together by Doris Darnell, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, who from the 1930s gathered together items of clothing worn by her wealthy friends and acquaintances. The glamorous garments worn for special occasions were of particular interest.

In 2004 Doris bequeathed half her collection to an American university, and the other half to her goddaughter, Charlotte Smith. Since inheriting the collection, Charlotte has continued to develop and refine her holdings, which now numbers over 6000 items. New acquisitions by Charlotte have resulted in many of the works bearing an Australian provenance.

With gowns by some of the greatest names in fashion, as well as some talented but little-known designers, the exhibition illustrates stylistic moments in fashion, and explores how and why evening wear has changed for women over the years.

Commencing in the 1920s and spanning the decades up to the 1990s, the exhibition presents garments originally worn to cocktail soirees, balls, opening nights at the theatre, charity events, graduation parties and red carpet galas, and for dancing at nightclubs and discotheques.

First shown at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre in early 2013, Newcastle Art Gallery has worked with Charlotte Smith to expand the range of material on display and curate a new exhibition experience just for Hunter audiences.

General admission: $8
Members/concession: $5
Children under 12 and pre-booked education groups are free.
Free entry for new Society Members.

Related Documents:
AFTER FIVE: Fashion from the Darnell Collection Children's Art Trail (pdf)
AFTER FIVE Fashion from the Darnell Collection Fashion timeline (pdf)
AFTER FIVE EDUCATION NOTES Stage 4 & 5 Textiles Technology (pdf)
AFTER FIVE EDUCATION NOTES Stage 6 Textiles Technology (pdf)