The Janet Walker Collection

Photo of Mrs Janet Walker label on wedding gown H22566.
Photo: Queensland Museum

In 1991 the Queensland Museum began to collect clothing objects made by Mrs Janet Walker, Brisbane’s leading costumiere during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The first item acquired was an Edwardian wedding gown. Between 1996 and 2000 six additional garments were donated following extensive research carried out by Michael Marendy on the career of Janet Walker.

Two exceptional pieces were identified, an evening gown belonging to Lady Julia Griffith (1899-1903), the wife of the first chief justice of Queensland and Australia, Sir Samuel Griffith, and a ball gown made for Mrs Barbara Jane Drury, possibly worn to the Vice Regal Ball held at Government House in July 1892.