Lockdown trend inspires formal wear exhibition at Te Awamutu Museum

Megan Denz with the Formal Friday exhibition which was assembled over six weeks. Photo / Valu Maka.

A new exhibition at Te Awamutu's museum was inspired by 'Formal Fridays', a social media trend which became popular during lockdown.

Collection manager Megan Denz says the idea for formal Fridays was ignited by an instagram trend that went viral through TV personality Hillary Barry.

"She would wear a tiara and her best dresses while doing the mundane and working from home during lockdown."

Megan says the local exhibition highlights the museum's collection of formal, functional and fancy wear.

The exhibition was formed over a span of six weeks as a "rapid response show", after one of their touring exhibitions was cancelled because of Covid-19.

Exhibition coordinator Henriata Nicholas says the display was the perfect opportunity for the museum team to uncover and showcase the textiles.

She says hours were spent preparing the garments for public viewing.

"We had a team member sewing arms for our mannequins, another intricately streaming beautiful silk wedding dresses, and preparators making exhibit stands and plinths."

Megan says the exhibition holds an array of textiles that range from the early 1830s to modern garments.

"We have a 1850s ceremonial wedding dress, horse riding gear from 1910 and casual wear from the 40s and 60s."

Most of the garments on display have a unique story behind them.

Amongst the collection is a cream ceremonial wedding dress detailed with stitched petals, that was originally worn by the donor's aunt.

"It was worn as 'Her Majesty Queen of the Waikato Province' during the Waikato Patriotic Queen Carnival in 1940," says Megan.

"Later the sleeves were cut short and it became her wedding dress in 1946. So the stories behind the textiles make them special."

Te Awamutu Museum welcomes the public to come and see the exhibit which will run until March 2021.

They are also open to garment donations from the public.

For more inquiries or information contact museum@waipadc.govt.nz