Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery is excited to present an exhibition of local and regional South Australian significance: Tina Hooft: A Country Women’s Wardrobe II, An exhibition of vintage clothing and accessories from 1950-1960s.
Event Launch: Friday Feb 10, 6pm
Book via Eventbrite
This exhibition draws on the considerable collection of Dutch born, Mid- North, Merriton based, collector Tina Hooft, who has been collecting vintage garments, accessories and more, for over 20 years.
The Vivienne Crisp Gallery
The Eleanor Spice Collection is a remarkable collection of dresses, glamorous vintage garments and accessories from the ubiquitous Mrs. Eleanor Spice (1922-2022). She has been described by her granddaughter, as a “country woman of style and substance, who lived a long and remarkable life in country South Australia, whose wardrobe, “was full of stunning elegance, style and grace…. twin sets, coat and dress ensembles, matching hats and gloves, and an impressive collection of shoes, including her beloved stilettos. This display represents a fraction of Mrs. Spice’s wardrobe, and her love for well-made beautiful garments. The collection is a throwback to a bygone era and delves into the social history and lifestyle of post war regional South Australia.
Flinders Gallery
Tina has drawn inspiration from The Leon Rodda Band, a time that saw some women glamorously dressed up to dance to music of The Leon Rodda Band. Rodda, lovingly remembered locally, as the King of the keyboards, and played in everything from big bands to solo spots, dazzling crowds with virtuosity in genres from pop to jazz in and parish halls, town halls, and clubs across this region and beyond from the 1940s onwards. This display showcases a large-scale photo of the Queen of the Ball finalists circa 1950s, early 1960s, picturing The Leon Rodda Band playing, features similar dresses worn in the era.
Barbara’s Little Dresses is a range of handmade bespoke children’s clothes from local Crystal Brook Community. While womenswear followed three broad trends: a continuation of the previous decade’s ladylike elegance, children’s wear saw less change, but also became more casual and brighter in colour and pattern. The pieces in this display were lovingly handcrafted to ensure children were well presented.
A Day out for the Ladies features a small number of day dresses and accessories collected across the Mid- North lovingly cared for Tina Hooft.
Photo Credit: Queen of the Ball Competition, featuring the Leon Rodda Band, Port Pirie, cica1950’s early 1960’s. Image Courtesy of Clann Rodda and Tina Hooft.
Supported by Port Pirie Regional Council, Friends of the Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, The Port Pirie City Band.