Te Papa’s Feathermania: Fashion to die for |
Te mate huruhuru: He kahu matemate opens to the public
on Saturday 26 June and runs until April
2022.
Coinciding with the publication of Claire
Regnault’s new book Dressed: Fashionable Dress in
Aotearoa New Zealand 1830 to 1910 (Te Papa Press)
Feathermania examines the place of feathers – which
have been sourced from Aotearoa New Zealand and across the
globe – in the fashionable woman’s
wardrobe.
Feathers formed an integral part of many
well-dressed women’s wardrobes throughout the nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries. This ‘boutique’ scale
exhibition features a range of accessories from the 19th and
early 20th century including muffs made from the skins of
New Zealand land and sea birds, a stunning pelerine adorned
with pheasant and peacock feathers, and an array of fans
from the collections of Te Papa, the Otago Museum and Te
Hikoi.
Feathermania addresses the environmental
cost of ‘plumiferious’ fashion, the loss of millions of
birds which were slaughtered for their feathers, and the
consequential rise of local and international conservation
movements to protect birdlife. It also prompts visitors to
think about their own consumer choices, in an era when
fashion continues to have a negative impact on the
environment.
Claire Regnault, Senior Curator New
Zealand Histories and Cultures says this mini exhibition
gives an insight into how feathers played an integral part
in women’s fashion internationally, and the toll such a
trend took on bird populations around the world, including
those of Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Feathermania
will display over 25 taonga, which are at once utterly
beautiful and incredibly sad. Hopefully, it will prompt
visitors to think about their own fashion choices in the
21st century.”
Feathermania: Fashion to die for
| Te mate huruhuru: He kahu
matemate
Opening on Saturday 26 June – April
2022
Mini exhibition, entry is free
Located on
Level 3
Allow 15 minutes
Images
can be found here.
© Scoop Media
