The National Gallery of Victoria is opening its doors to a huge collection of couture fashion, donated by a Melbourne philanthropist.
The collection of more than 150 garments will be unveiled on Friday and includes a suite of Coco Chanel's little black dresses, a dress from Dior's 1947 debut collection and Yves Saint Laurent's groundbreaking 1967 Le Smoking Suit.
Modern works include a rendition of Alexander McQueen's tartan gown famously worn by actor Sarah Jessica Parker to New York's Met Gala in 2006 and a 1995 John Galliano suit featuring the designer's trademark tailoring and giant shoulder pads.
Most of the pieces have never been exhibited in Australia before and were purchased for the gallery by philanthropist Krystyna Campbell-Pretty in memory of her late husband Harold.
Since 2015, Ms Campbell-Pretty has gifted more than 250 garments to the gallery, as well as fashion designers' sketchbooks and rare early fashion magazines.
"Fashion can be simultaneously artistic, pragmatic and a crucial physical record of complex construction skills and techniques that are all but gone," Ms Campbell-Pretty said in a statement.
"For me, fashion is also visual and social history, reflecting the role, perception and lives of women in society.
"I hope audiences enjoy this collection, which now belongs to all Victorians and to all Australians."
*Krystyna Campbell-Pretty Fashion Gift exhibition runs from March 1 to July 14 and entry is free
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