Curator Conversation: The Costume Collection

Unbox Queensland Museum’s Costume Collection with Tess Shingles, Assistant Curator, Queensland Stories. Join Tess as she discusses her latest project exploring the garments in the museum’s social history collection, asking questions like: what’s the oldest garment in the collection? How are the costumes stored “out the back”? And what would one wear to debut at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party?

Take a closer look at the history of Queensland through our t-shirts, togs, debutante dresses, and wartime garments. 

About the presenter

Tess brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work from her experience working in a variety of roles within the museum sector. While working in the Cultures and Histories team Tess has taken a supportive role for exhibitions including the Island Futures: What Lies Ahead for Zenadth Kes? by assisting the writers, and liaising with featured artists.

In Tess’s previous research she focused on 19th and 20th century popular literature, exploring how it interacted and was shaped by historical and social context. This perspective influences how Tess engages with the Queensland Museum collection in her role as Assistant Curator, Queensland Stories.

Reflecting her interest in fashion and women’s histories, Tess has worked closely with the Gay Welch Collection in her curatorial role. She is particularly interested in representing hidden histories related to women and strives to present objects and histories to challenge the audience’s pre-existing perspectives.