Search the collections

Where is it from?

Summary:: Black wool coat with trim of long black fur, made by the label of Madame Serini (Irredenta Itala Serini), a post-war Italian immigrant who arrived in Australia with her family in 1950. She had trained in Italy as a designer and dressmaker, and worked for fashion houses in Hobart and Melbourne before setting up her own label in Melbourne in 1959. Madame Serini became a leading prestige women's clothing designer across Australia in the 1960s and 1970s, finally closing in 1979.
Description:: Black wool coat with trim of long black fur around shoulders, down front and at hem. The fur is positioned to reveal the top button attached to the wool coat. There are four buttons down front, of white pearl shell surrounded by glass diamantes, on a silver metal base. There is a black press stud above bottom button. Slit pocket on each side. Coat lined with pink satin lining.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Italian Historical Society (Co.As.It), 2007

Discipline:

History

Tagged with:	clothing, commerce, fashion, fashion design, fashion industry, furs, italian communities, italian immigration
Themes this item is part of:	Irredenta Itala Serini, Italian Migrant, 1950, Italian Historical Society CO.AS.IT. Collection, Clothing & Textiles Collection, Migration Collection, Working Life & Trades Collection
Primary Classification:	CLOTHING
Secondary Classification:	Female
Tertiary Classification:	outerwear
Inscriptions:	INSCRIPTIONS: Sewn label at back of neck: 'Madame Serini / HAUTE COUTURE'.
Manufacturer:	Madame Serini, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1959-1979
References:	Astrid Haban-Beer, 'Recalling the Memories of an Haute Couturiere: Madame Serini - A Journey from Fiume to Melbourne'. Italian Historical Society Journal, vol.12, no.1, Jan-June 2004, pp. 25-30. Astrid Haban-Beer, oral history interview of Madame Serini, November 2003, Italian Historical Society Oral History Collection