Powerhouse of style: Megan Gale helps share fashion legacy
Every piece has a story to tell. Megan Gale has made a return to her David Jones heritage to celebrate the long-running department store donating its archive to Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Every piece has a story to tell. Megan Gale has made a return to her David Jones heritage to celebrate the long-running department store donating its archive to Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.
A team worked behind the scenes to come up with the collection of some 3000 items by trawling through the retailers Sydney archive warehouse in Silverwater.
They date back to the early 1800s with a curated smaller collection titled Like No Other – Celebrating an Australian Icon being housed at David Jones Elizabeth Street flagship until the end of August.
The collection will then feature in the new Powerhouse Museum when it opens in Parramatta next year. The retailer celebrated its 185th year in 2023.
“All of the pieces, they’ve all got their own little story,” Gale said.
“There’s this incredibly pretty and dainty pair of green shoes from 1926 that are in pristine condition and they would story about who wore those. There are so many other fabulous pieces that it is great to look back and reflect that. We are so rushed in life, we don’t stop to look back at what has been achieved.”
The archive of pieces features obviously garments, but also ranges from packaging and retail design to programs from Christian Dior shows presented at David Jones in the 1940s and the official menu and program for the State Dinner for Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh hosted there in 1954.
Also part of the partnership is the establishment of the David Jones and Powerhouse Australian Design Commission that promises to invest $300,000 into local designers over three years to create new work that engages with the archive.
A black Rachel Gilbert gown Gale wore on the runway last year to mark the milestone 185 years is part of the exhibit.
“I am just a very humble 13 year part of that but a part of it nonetheless,” Gale, 48, said of her time with the brand.
“It has been really lovely to be included in marking this moment. In the moment, you just think you are doing your job and you are always thinking about the next moment, the next season and so it is really lovely and I think important to look back at the history in its entirety.
Asked if she’d consider a more regular return to the catwalk, the mother of two said: “Is it too soon from last year? I don’t know. Never say never. I wouldn’t say soon, soon but I am always open to giving anything a whirl.”
Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
Meet the ‘real’ Real Housewives of Sydney
You won’t see their faces on the juggernaut Real Housewives franchises seen across the world. But they run in the same circles as those who star on the reality show, and likely turned offers to join it down.
PR guru found dead in his inner Sydney unit
Friends and clients have begun paying tribute to “a hugely loved person” after PR guru and talent expert Jai Evans was found dead in his inner Sydney apartment.