Celebrate 100 years of technology in fashion

Step back in time through iconic clothing moments this Ballarat Heritage Weekend with fashion anthropologist Charlotte Smith.

Smith returns to Ballarat this weekend with The Charlotte Smith Collection (formally known as The Darnell Collection), the largest private fashion collection in the Southern Hemisphere.

Her collection tells the story of women’s wardrobes through the ages, including original pieces from Dior, Chanel and Gucci.

Smith will feature some of her most elegant clothing and accessories on the catwalk at the Ballarat Mining Exchange this weekend.

The Ballarat Mining Exchange will transform into fashion-central with a series of “iconic fashion moments” featuring on stage throughout the two-day event.

This year’s fashion feature will tell the story of 100 years of technology in fashion and textiles through narrated catwalk parades brought to life by Tableaux Vivants (English translation: living pictures), a popular Victorian theatrical performance of storytelling.

Sports icons Kieren Perkins and Liesel Jones will also be in Ballarat on Saturday 26 May to discuss developments in sportwear during the Fashion Conservation Panel from 11.30am, and both will model racewear fashion in the 2pm parade.

Sunday’s catwalk parades will take place at 12pm and 3pm to music by Goldheist.

The ‘A Stitch in Time’ exhibition will also be on display throughout the two days, showcasing how sewing and fashion technology has developed between 1890-1970.

Ballarat Heritage Weekend is presented by the City of Ballarat. View the full program atheritageweekend.com.au or follow @BallaratHeritageWeekend on Facebook.