textiles and fashion research group

Initiated in 2014 in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne, the Textiles and Fashion Research Group (formerly the Textiles Reading Group) draws together academics, curators, textile experts and fashion creatives working across a varied range of fields, from Renaissance modes of luxury, dress in China, Islamic textiles, and early modern undergarments, to Australian colonial and twentieth-century-dress. Founded by Antonia Finnane and convened by Jenny-Lynn Potter, the group meets once a month during semester.

Originally conceived as an informal gathering with a monthly focused reading programme, from mid 2020 the Textiles and Fashion Research Group has gathered more formally with a Seminar Programme. The seminars are mostly held in person at the Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne with occasional online seminars depending on the presenter and their location.

For further enquiries, email Jenny-Lynn Potter

SEMINAR SERIES 2024

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Seminar series 2023

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seminar series 2022

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Seminar Series 2021

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textiles And fashion Research group foundation members

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Textiles and Fashion Research Group Annual ‘Show and Tell’

The last meeting of the year for the Textiles and Fashion Research Group is a ‘show and tell’ at which members bring a personal textile of some significance or interest after which all members go out for a celebratory meal.

Members of the Textiles and Fashion Research Group at the 2018 ‘show and tell’.
L to R: Susan Scollay, Natasha Amendola, Catherine Kovesi, Laura Jocic, and Margot Yeomans

For the 2019 ‘show and tell’ Margot Yeomans (top left) brought along an appliqué she purchased in India from the maker. Jenny-Lynn Potter brought a book from her personal collection Sewing for Profit published in 1935. Linda Young brought along a c.1860 bodice. Rachel Matthews brought a stash of 1960s and 70s Vogue pattern books. Antonia Finnane brought along a 1960s outfit made by her dressmaker aunt and Sally Gray a prototype for a scarf that is in production for one of David McDiarmid’s rainbow aphorisms. Laura Jocic brought along a skirt purchased in China in 1988 which is possibly from an opera costume.