Description
A classic beauty of a dress by iconic fashion label of the past: Misses Mooney:
“The fashion label Misses Mooney was operated by two sisters from the premises at 189 Collins Street Melbourne. The label was established in 1932 and closed in 1972. It is unclear if it operated from this address for the entire time. There is little information available regarding this label, although at that time this part of Collins Street held a thriving industry of dressmakers and associated trades.
The Brighton Historical Society has a former volunteer who once worked for Misses Mooney who provided an oral history she called ‘Memories of Another Era’. The following are some points of interest from her history from her time working for the Mooney’s c1944 – 46.
- The business Misses Mooney was owned by two sisters Nell and Ida Mooney, situated in a very narrow shop front beside The Regent Theatre in Collins Street Melbourne and open five and a half days per week.
- Above the shop on the first floor worked four seamstresses plus a supervisor Miss Foulds in cramped conditions.
- Miss Foulds also attended to the fittings of garments with clients and any alterations when necessary.
- Further up Collins St in a seperate building on the third floor and in cramped workroom conditions were three machinists who made garments for special clients. Wages were approx. 2 pounds for a 40 hour week.
- This lady recalls working 44hr days with Ida. Work began at 8am until 5 pm with 1/2 hour for lunch.
- Close to this workroom was a milliner Dorothy Gringod, a “sprightly, friendly lady” who created the headwear and supplied the Mooney’s shop with some of her creations. Dorothy would make headwear for the girls from Miss Mooney’s at half price when they needed something for an event.
- This lady recalls seeing Japanese prisoners of war being driven up Collins St past the store as she was out getting lunches.” Source: https://www.clothe.net.au/brighton-historical-society-at-city-of-glen-eira-festival-of-story-telling-celebrating-style-1950s-fashion-in-melbourne/#:~:text=The%20fashion%20label%20Misses%20Mooney,address%20for%20the%20entire%20time.
The dress quality is fabulous. So well made. It is a lovely olive in colour & the fabric is rayon. The only flaw is a small rust mark under the front buckle. However this can be disguised in the ruching, so is not immediately obvious. I have not tried to remove it.
The best fit is a modern Australian size 12.
