Iconic designers showcase in Devonport

A curated selection of 18 outfits (40 garments) and fashion-related objects, each technically and creatively ground-breaking, feature in Pattern and Print: Easton Pearson Archive on loan from Museum of Brisbane and showing at Devonport Regional Gallery from 11 June to 18 July 2021.

Pattern and Print: Easton Pearson Archive will showcase the daring design, technical innovations, bespoke fabrics and bold prints Easton Pearson became known for, complemented by sketches, accessories, samples, look books, photographs, interviews and anecdotes from the designers.

Devonport is the second stop of a national two-year tour exploring the impact of internationally acclaimed fashion house Easton Pearson on Australian fashion history. The Devonport exhibition will be followed by venues in South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Museum of Brisbane is home to the Easton Pearson Archive which, comprising more than 3,300 garments and more than 5,000 objects, accessories and ephemera, captures almost three decades of Australian fashion history.

Museum of Brisbane Director Renai Grace said that as the largest textile collection from a single Australian fashion house held by a museum or gallery, it is important that pieces from the Easton Pearson Archive are shared with audiences across Australia for those wanting to know more about the role of fashion in art, craft, design and culture.

“Pattern and Print will provide Australian audiences with access to garments and accompanying ephemera that tell the detailed stories of Easton Pearson’s creative process and evolving aesthetic,” Ms Grace said.

“The exhibition will also be an unprecedented resource for fashion, craft, art and design students, researchers, practitioners and design enthusiasts.”

Devonport Regional Gallery Director Geoff Dobson said it is a rare opportunity for a regional gallery to present a fashion exhibition of this calibre.

“The inclusion of the sketches and work samples will be of value and a source of inspiration to all of those who have an interest in design process,” Mr Dobson said.

“I believe the exhibition has broad appeal as the exhibition is imbued with a playful and happy atmosphere.”   

Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson were the storytellers of Australian fashion. Their designs remain cutting-edge, even today, due to Easton Pearson’s experimental, demi-couture processes and their passion for creating bespoke textiles, prints and embellishments as diverse as champagne bottle tops, raffia, silver thread and sequins, copper chain, felt, feathers and beads of almost every variety.

An exhibition by Museum of Brisbane (MoB), toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland, this project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.

The Easton Pearson Archive gift to Museum of Brisbane has been made possible by the generous support of Dr Paul Eliadis AM, a Brisbane-based philanthropist and patron of contemporary art and design. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. The Archive is complemented by supporting materials gifted by Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson.

Pattern and Print: Easton Pearson Archive will be on display at the Devonport Regional Gallery from 11 June until 18 July, and officially open on Friday, 10 June at 6pm.

Photo caption: The Designers’ Guide: Easton Pearson Archive 2018, Photo: Carl Warner, Illustration: Stephen Mok. Donated by Dr Paul Eliadis through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program 2017. Easton Pearson Archive, Museum of Brisbane Collection.

                                                                        ENDS

About Museum of Brisbane

Housed within iconic Brisbane City Hall, Museum of Brisbane (MoB) celebrates the creatives and history makers to deepen an understanding of place.  We reflect Brisbane’s people and passions and its ever-evolving cultures.

MoB is Brisbane City Council’s leading history and art museum, where you can experience our city’s vibrant culture. Connect: Facebook: /MuseumofBrisbane Instagram: Museumofbrisbane #museumofbrisbane, Twitter: @MuseumofBris.

About the Easton Pearson Archive

The Easton Pearson Archive gift to Museum of Brisbane was made possible by the generous support of Dr Paul Eliadis AM, a Brisbane-based philanthropist and patron of contemporary art and design. The Archive consists of more than 3,300 garments. It is supported by more than 5,000 accessories, spec sheets, range plans, look books, photographs and other supporting materials donated by Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson.