When people walk into the Costume Collection at MOVE for the first time, ‘Wow’ is usually their first word. Australia’s fashion and textile history, from the earliest days of European colonisation right up to the modern day, is laid out before them. Generously gifted to MOVE by former Shepparton collector Loel Thomson OAM, there are nearly 10,000 items in total, which allows us to a present constantly-rotating selection.
One of the most recent installations focuses on iconic footwear brands from the 20th century. A lot of brands enjoy loyalty from certain subcultures and groups, and many visitors feel an affinity or affection towards specific shoes. Putting on an exhibition is all about finding a way to connect to people, and if I’m overhearing people comment on their feelings and memories then I count it a success. I love the little chuckle people do when they see a pair of Crocs on display in a museum, and I love hearing the memories that a pair of Doc Martens can inspire.
It's a learning experience for me, too, which is fantastic. I’ve been wearing nothing but Converse sneakers for years, but I had no idea that the company was so old – the Converse Rubber Shoe Company was founded in 1908, and the Chuck Taylor All-Stars we know now have been their mainstay since the early 1920s.
The Birkenstock name also goes back further than I had imagined; as shoemakers and innovators the family goes back to the 1770s.
There’s plenty more to see in the Loel Thomson Costume Collection, with something for everyone on display. Walk down memory lane, or learn something new, at MOVE Shepparton.
