Easton Pearson Archive
Museum of Brisbane's Easton Pearson Archive represents something truly unique: an intact body of work that captures the fashion labels' history.
Racks of garments from Easton Pearson Archive by Easton PearsonMuseum of Brisbane
Museum of Brisbane's Easton Pearson Archive represents something truly unique: an intact body of work that captures the fashion labels' history. The Easton Pearson Archive is the largest collection of a single Australian fashion house held by a museum. A collection made up of over 8,000 items; including garments, accessories and supporting material, it is an unprecedented resource for fashion, craft, art and design students, practitioners and enthusiasts.
Entrance to 'The Designers' Guide: Easton Pearson Archive' exhibition by Museum of BrisbaneMuseum of Brisbane
The Museum's first major exhibition featuring the Easton Pearson Archive opened 23 November 2018 and was on display until 22 April 2019. Entitled 'The Designers' Guide: Easton Pearson Archive', the exhibition featured 200 garments that captured the artistry and techniques that placed Easton Pearson at the forefront of Australian fashion for 28 years.
It included a space dedicated to highlighting some of Easton Pearson's most vibrant and extravagant designs. These were featured against a mural by Brisbane artist Stephen Mok, created for the exhibition. Stephen Mok, was a long-time collaborator of Easton Pearson, creating designs featured on a number of garments.
Supporting material from the Easton Pearson Archive by Easton PearsonMuseum of Brisbane
Easton Pearson used samples and sketches as a working reference for future collections. The life of each garment is still visible through pins inserted at the last minute to adjust a hem, or a smudge of makeup on a collar from the runway. The supporting documentation deepens the story of each garment.
Baccara top | Raki skirt | sequin belt by Easton PearsonMuseum of Brisbane
Most garments in the Easton Pearson Archive are samples - first iterations of a piece used to sell the collection. Others were worn on the runway in national and international fashion shows. Supermodel Miranda Kerr wore the Baccara top and Raki skirt (pictured), on the David Jones runway in 2005.
Conserving a garment in the Easton Pearson Archive by Easton PearsonMuseum of Brisbane
The innovative array of techniques and materials cultivated by Easton Pearson has necessitated specialist conservation treatments and storage solutions to preserve the Archive. Ongoing conservation ensures the Archive is maintained as an accessible education resource for future generations.
Hindu Ahir women with Lydia Pearson and Pamela Easton by Easton PearsonMuseum of Brisbane
Easton Pearson's creative process and evolving aesthetic hinged on the creative relationship between Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson, whose unique ways of working fostered inventive designs, lasting collaborations and supported ethical manufacture.
Callia cardi detail by Easton PearsonMuseum of Brisbane
Easton Pearson enjoyed great international success from its creative hub in Brisbane. Maintaining its practice in Brisbane meant their brand was never heavily influenced by the trends in Australia’s fashion capitals, a trait that international buyers found refreshing. Easton Pearson remains an influence on the aesthetic and standard of Brisbane fashion production.
The Easton Pearson Archive gift to Museum of Brisbane has been made possible by the generous support of Dr Paul Eliadis, a Brisbane-based philanthropist and patron of contemporary art and design.
The Archive consists of more than 3,300 garments donated by Dr Eliadis through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program in 2017. In 2018, Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson donated more than 5,000 items of supporting material.
Museum of Brisbane would like to acknowledge Education Partner, TAFE Queensland and members of The Dress Circle for their support of the Easton Pearson Archive as well as the Gordon Darling Foundation as Publication Sponsor and St Baker Energy Innovation Fund as Exhibition Partner for ‘The Designers’ Guide: Easton Pearson Archive’.
