Fashion Detective is NGV Australia’s newest fashion exhibition which takes a selection of unattributed garments and accessories as the starting point for imagining the histories behind their makers, wearers and the occasions where they were worn.
In addition, some of Australia’s best crime writers have been commissioned to interpret the evidence into a series of new short fictions.
Fashion Detective is inherently interesting for young museum goers because they are objects that they might be familiar with (dresses, shoes, hats for instance) and you can discuss the possible interpretations of the garments together.
In addition, at the end of Fashion Detective there is a special area just for kids called ‘Come into the Parlour’. A series of games, inspired by Victorian parlour games, have been set out for children (and adults) to enjoy.
To start you pick up a booklet which then sets out the instructions for all the different games as well as containing factoids about the games and the Victorian era. For very young children there is a challenge to find the thimbles in the parlour, ranging to charades and memory games for older kids.
Given that most of the games require understanding of instructions and the ability to read and count, Come into the Parlour is most suitable for kids 5+ years. Lady AB still enjoyed aspects of it but really didn’t understand what was required to participate or complete the games, which could possibly have made it frustrating for older kids who were also trying to play at the same time.
Fashion Detective – Come into the Parlour, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square Melbourne
9 May to 31 August 2014
Open Tues–Sun, 10am–5pm
Free entry