New Zealand Fashion Museum
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 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (May 2010) |
The New Zealand Fashion Museum is the brainchild of fashion designer, turned fashion historian, Doris de Pont. Established as a charitable trust in late 2009, the museum is of no fixed abode, but holds “pop-up” exhibitions around New Zealand, and will be an online museum. Unconstrained by the responsibility of holding and preserving collections, the museum draws from public and private collections to pull together its exhibitions.
Looking Terrific – the Story of El Jay is the first ‘pop up’ exhibition of the New Zealand Fashion Museum. Curated by Doris de Pont, the exhibition will showcase over 50 vintage garments by New Zealand fashion industry leader Gus Fisher and his label El Jay. As planned for all New Zealand Fashion Museum events, the venues for Looking Terrific add meaning to the story, with the Auckland exhibition being held at the Gus Fisher Gallery. It will then be hosted in Wellington by Kirkcaldie and Stains, who will welcome the clothes back into their store as loyal stockists of El Jay during its fifty year history.
Once an exhibition has completed its run it will be recorded for posterity on the fashion museum’s website www.fashionmuseum.org.nz and the exhibits will be returned to the homes that love them. The website, will be developed as funds are raised for the project. “I think this moveable museum with no permanent home is the first of its kind anywhere,” de Pont says. “Because it is very much about sharing fashion experiences anyone can be part of it. The museum’s website has details on how people can stay informed and get involved.”[citation needed]
The New Zealand Fashion Museum Charitable Trust trustees include: Doris de Pont, former fashion designer and anthropologist, from Auckland Margo Barton, a leading fashion educator from Dunedin Dr Sandy Callister, a brand and communications strategist from Wellington Dianne Ludwig, a business advisor from Auckland Lisa Coleman, in information technology expert from Auckland Julia Cahill, a lawyer from Auckland