The dress worn by Judith Durham of the Seekers. On loan from the National Film and Sound Archive.
Image: Nicole Alley
Source: Museum Victoria
An outfit worn by Judith Durham from The Seekers joins the lineup of music memorabilia on show in the Melbourne Gallery.
The Seekers were one of Australia’s biggest music groups in the 60s and the first home-grown act to hit the big time in the UK and America. They formed in Melbourne in 1962 and Judith, a jazz singer, joined soon after when the lead singer left.
The band’s enormous success, with its folk-jazz fusion and sweet melodies, was thanks in large part to Judith.
“It was Judith’s voice that really made the band,” explained Michael Reason, Assistant Curator, History & Technology. “I think they acknowledge that. It was her voice that people heard when they thought of The Seekers.”
Judith’s outfit, on loan from the National Film & Sound Archive in Canberra, consists of a cream lace and pin-tuck pleated blouse and skirt, and a pink pin-tuck waist sash. It was typical of the Edwardian Victorian revival happening in fashion at the time.
Although Judith wore mini skirts in the early to mid 60s, she switched to longer skirts in the late 60s. “It was around the time she was contemplating going solo, and was an indicator that she wanted to do her own thing,” said Michael.
Judith appeared twice in the outfit in 1968: in the Channel 9 special The World of the Seekers and also for the album cover of The Best of the Seekers. The album was their swan song; Judith left the band the same year to pursue a solo career.
The Seekers reunited in the 1990s after 25 years apart and went on a ‘Silver Jubilee Reunion’ tour. They continue to perform and release albums.
Judith’s outfit will be on display for two years and is replacing the Marcie Jones dress on loan from The Arts Centre, Performing Arts Collection. Outfits in the exhibition need to be changed frequently since clothing is susceptible to fading.