Discover the stories woven into clothing from the Whanganui Regional Museum collection at our popular Outfit of the Month talks.

Held on the first Friday of each month, this free lunchtime series explores garments and accessories that reveal fascinating insights into fashion, craftsmanship, social history and the lives of the people who wore them. From elegant Victorian gowns and everyday dress to uniforms and specialised clothing, each talk uncovers the unique stories behind an object from the Museum’s collection.

Presented by the Museum’s curators of clothing and textiles, the talks draw on the Museum’s nationally significant costume and textile collection and showcase the research that brings these remarkable objects to life.

Talks begin at 12.15pm and run for approximately 15 minutes, with the opportunity for questions afterward. Admission is free and all are welcome.

FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
Behind the Scenes: Preparing a Historic Outfit for Display

What happens behind the scenes before an historic outfit goes on display?
On 4 September visitors will have a special opportunity to see some of the careful work involved in preparing historic clothing for the gallery.
Kathy Greensides, Kaiwhakaahua me te Kaiāwhina Kohinga | Photographer & Collections Assistant, will demonstrate how an historic outfit is mounted on a mannequin. She will show how the appropriate underpinnings are selected and fitted to create the right silhouette, while providing the support needed to protect fragile textiles.
Alongside the demonstration, we explore the story and style of a 19th-century jacket and skirt from the Museum's collection. Dating from around 1878, the ensemble reflects the fashions of its time, including the influence of men's tailoring and naval uniform on women's clothing.
This is a rare opportunity to see some of the specialist work that takes place behind the scenes at the Museum and to discover how historic clothing is prepared for display while being cared for as part of the collection.

The jacket and skirt will remain on display throughout September.