The Janet Walker Collection
Photo: Queensland Museum
Mrs. Walker (1850-1940) began her business in the Central Chambers, Queen Street in 1882. From there she moved to larger premises in Adelaide Street in 1886 and 1892, then back to Queen Street in 1919, where she remained until 1938. The quality of her work was first drawn to public attention in October 1884, when the female journalist from ‘The Queenslander’ visited her rooms, as well as those of her colleagues, Miss Margaret Caldwell and Miss Margaret Scott. From 1887 to 1901 the local press acknowledged Janet Walker’s designs at eighty-four weddings, fourteen balls, six receptions, at the opening of Federal Parliament in Melbourne, as well as describing thirty sets of trousseau garments made at her atelier (workroom).
Existing gowns made by Mrs. Walker not only reflect her skill as a designer, but also her high standard of workmanship. These qualities, together with her capacity to attract and maintain a clientele, enabled her to operate the largest private dressmaking establishment in colonial Brisbane. By the end of 1898 Janet Walker employed 120 staff, the majority of whom worked in her atelier. Even though she did not pay her apprentices during their first year of training, they were never expected to work overtime. Her remaining employees were paid the minimum wage, overtime, and bonuses during busy periods. It would appear that she trained her staff extremely well, as several left her establishment to set up their own businesses.
During the latter part of the nineteenth century private costumieres and dressmakers were in direct competition with the dressmaking services offered by the larger drapery stores. Mrs. Walker and her partner Miss Caldwell were not intimidated by these changes, instead they matched the services offered to women by the larger drapery stores by opening the ‘Ladies’ Emporium’ in Adelaide Street in September 1896. As their business was so successful, the premises were remodelled three times between 1896 and 1900. In 1897 a showroom was also established on the ground level of the Courier Building at the corner of Queen and Edward Streets. Such a venture not only demonstrated the creative and entrepreneurial skills of these women, but also the independence they had achieved in a male dominated business economy.
Although the social structure of Queensland began to change during the early twentieth century, Janet Walker’s reputation as a talented and skilled modiste had been established, and thus enabled her to continue to operate her business until her retirement in 1938.