The Darnell Collection: 300 Years of Stunning Fashion, Charlotte Smith, Australia

Left to right: Dior, Mary Katrantzou, Brose - all 21st century dresses

Forty six gowns dating from the 1920s to modern day graced the commanding exhibition space at the Newcastle Art Gallery in NSW. Designer shoes and exquisite hats of all shapes and sizes were displayed alongside precious jewels and jewelled handbags. Thousands of visitors enjoyed the fashions as much as the provenances of many of the dresses and stories of the women who wore them.

Dress by Philip Hulitar from the 1950s

Malcolm Starr jumpsuit

The MC for the evening, Claudia Chan Shaw. My dress is by James Galanos, 1970s

Two 60s dresses including a velvet hostess gown by Ann Pakradooni of Philadelphia

The Patrons dinner was held in the exhibition space to great success.

1930s elegance in silk velvet

A Pierre Balmain Ivoire gown, from 1979, faces a 60s line-up including Andres Courreges, Mary Quant and Adolfo