My inspirational character for this project was Vida Goldstein, Vida was a very well know and respected woman in the community at this time. Making her face known as one of the leaders for women’s suffrage in 1899. She was in fact one of the four women candidates in the 1903 federal election before making her mark as an anti-conscription fighter. I wanted to use her as my lady of inspiration because despite she is always described to be well dressed and beautiful, she was also known to get her hands dirty and do what needed to be done. That’s why I chose a simpler and more elegant, silhouetted design. The main focal point is the six-buttoned fall front, which was inspired by a 1916 family photo of a farming family in Melbourne. The jacket cut away was designed to accommodate the view of the fall front, whereas the back was to give her the longer line loose fit of the period.

To create this costume as a quick changeable all-in-one garment, she has one zipper hidden by her fall front, hook and bar to hold the waistband together and poppers for the under bodies, as well as tying the petticoats into the skirts and sewing the bodies to the skirts.