Why Is Tasmania’s Oldest Dress A Fashion Masterpiece?


It's an elegant silk robe decorated with intricate stitching of pink flowers and is a significant piece of Tasmanian fashion history. But the stunning 250-year-old dress known as a mantua was once considered to be a "form of undress", and not suitable to be worn on the streets. What's interesting about the mantua from a historical fashion perspective is it was quite a radical dress for women at the time. What do you think LiveTribers? Why is Tasmania’s oldest dress a fashion masterpiece?

Posted by on 30 Apr 2024

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  • [0] [0]
    CILLY0

    It would have been handmade and the current style of the time. The fact that it is still in existence today would certainly make it a masterpiece.

    Posted by CILLY0 on 15 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    vlee

    I've never heard of it before. I'll have to do a search to find out more.

    Posted by vlee on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    stephanie

    It is an absolutely exquisite piece of history and fashion design, a type of artistry that deserves to be admired. Everything back then was done carfully by hand and must have taken hours upon hours of work to do the stitching.

    Posted by stephanie on 05 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    whitewavejen

    It is interesting that the dress was considered to be a form of undress. By the sound of it, considering it is decorated with intricate stitching, it would have been hand sewn and this would have taken a long time. Looking back in time now though, we would consider it to be a masterpiece because of the work put into it.

    Posted by whitewavejen on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Tara Rata

    Vintage fashion is beautiful

    Posted by Tara Rata on 05 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    RPaul

    It defines the time period and the attitudes of the people at the time. It is probably also the beginning of modern day fashions for women.

    Posted by RPaul on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Serena86

    Because it is fashion frozen in time and says a lot about the people and place

    Posted by Serena86 on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [1]
    sparra

    Any preserved history is a masterpiec.

    Posted by sparra on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Lucia

    It’s of historical importance and value and ties to the state

    Posted by Lucia on 05 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    topa

    I think that the mantua, is a fashion masterpiece, because it broke the rules and changed how people thought about women's clothing. Its fancy design and old age make it really special in Tasmanian fashion history

    Posted by topa on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    maria

    I think it is considered to be a fashion masterpiece because of the history beyond the making of this dress and the way it was done.

    Posted by maria on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Miro

    few garments aremade with this much attention to detail these days as most are mass manufactured

    Posted by Miro on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [1]
    tassiegirl

    Because it is 250 years old. The older things are, the more they are worth.

    Posted by tassiegirl on 05 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    merryl

    It depends on perspective. Some people see a masterpiece and some people see an old piece of clothing.

    Posted by merryl on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    wrestling collector

    I suppose it is a piece of history & as such could be considered a fashion masterpiece

    Posted by wrestling collector on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Benjamin

    It is a fashion masterpiece because of the level of intricate craftsmanship and the level of skill needed to finish it. It required a lot of time, effort and resources for it to be made.

    Posted by Benjamin on 05 May 2024
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  • [2] [1]
    LeafyGreen

    Never heard if this and don't really care why.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 05 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    pan da

    it is a fashion master piece because it was made by a very skilled seamstress

    Posted by pan da on 05 May 2024
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  • [4] [0]
    mact

    Who bloody cares Anna!!!.. how about a relevant and meaty subject like Energy, housing, rental, household grocery and general cost of living issues???!!!

    Posted by mact on 02 May 2024
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  • [2] [0]
    ere

    I agree mact. I reckon whoever Anna is, if there's even such a person, is sitting back laughing their arse off every time they post one of their pointless 'surveys'.

    Posted by ere on 04 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Zi

    Old fashion transcends time.

    Posted by Zi on 02 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Flippie

    I assume as it is part of the regions history and is now an icon and must be worn to be seen.

    Posted by Flippie on 01 May 2024
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  • [2] [0]
    Ally42

    Because it is 250 years old and an interesting piece from the past.

    Posted by Ally42 on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Elsa

    Clothes today don't take anywhere near as much time to make and are certainly not made to last! Admittedly we have the advantage of time moving on, so that our clothes are more practical and comfortable. Easier fabrics to wash and generally look after. Perhaps this dress serves to remind us that not only do fashions change, but women's place in society has too!

    Posted by Elsa on 01 May 2024
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    bear crusher

    I think because it still exists today and the amount of work that went into making it shows it to be a work of love and skill. A true masterpiece.

    Posted by bear crusher on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    TonyLT

    I haven't heard of it, but it does look fancy and timeless

    Posted by TonyLT on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Tammy

    It is a one of a kind piece that should be treasured.

    Posted by Tammy on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    YvetteP

    It is one kind of traditional

    Posted by YvetteP on 01 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    Paula

    Apparently they are made from one continuous piece of silk and pleated. It sounds very artistic indeed.

    Posted by Paula on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Kirsty

    Sounds elegant and timeless fashion

    Posted by Kirsty on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Joshy79

    It is amazing

    Posted by Joshy79 on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Woodness

    I had not heard of it but just had a look on Google and it is magnificent; that embroidery is exquisite. The dress looks quite substantial and makes me wonder how prudish Tasmanian society must have been back then. So glad they have preserved such a precious item.

    Posted by Woodness on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    pinky princess

    I have never heard of it - but it always good to value and look after history

    Posted by pinky princess on 01 May 2024
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  • [0] [1]
    Tara Rata

    Times change and fashion changes with it.

    Posted by Tara Rata on 01 May 2024
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  • [3] [0]
    Jigsaw

    Vintage is Always beautiful

    Posted by Jigsaw on 01 May 2024
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  • [2] [0]
    tutti_cutie

    They certainly don't make things like this anymore! The embroidery is exquisite.

    Posted by tutti_cutie on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Michaela

    Timeless!

    Posted by Michaela on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Isabella

    Because it was brought to Tasmania from England in the 1800s and was already a family heirloom from the 1700s.

    Posted by Isabella on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [1]
    Moses

    Just came here for 200 points

    Posted by Moses on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    mid

    love fashions of yesteryear year

    Posted by mid on 01 May 2024
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  • [2] [0]
    KSC

    So pretty - no wonder it's iconic!

    Posted by KSC on 01 May 2024
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  • [2] [0]
    DTChau1

    It looks like the dress in all those period dramas. Signifies royalty and elegance. A real turning point in women's fashion.

    Posted by DTChau1 on 01 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    SagoLeo

    I think it was a real turning point towards modern ladies fashion based on the description provided. Was possibly made by a female convict at what is now the Cascade factory in Hobart. Just a guess.

    Posted by SagoLeo on 01 May 2024
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  • [1] [0]
    Megan

    i have never heard of it, but all dresswear in history tells a story of the time/the past events and deserves to be recognized for that. it helps us to understand things. the skill and work men ship that encompasses this dress alone is a masterpiece in itself.

    Posted by Megan on 01 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    MS

    I remember seeing a bunch of old fashioned dresses with my school class as a kid-- at a historical old house. I think they were around 1800+. Old kitchen and furniture. Was interesting!

    Posted by MS on 30 Apr 2024
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  • [4] [0]
    MS

    It was on the ABC newsite recently. Who are we to judge those people of those times! Tho it certainly didn't look in anyway offensive compared to what many people wear these days. The worse thing about those days , and those dresses, was the impracticability wearing of them. Moving around and getting in and out of them. Our female ancestors certainly had it tough regards to clothing. But they were made of tough stuff, not like most people today.

    Posted by MS on 30 Apr 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    sulter

    What a surprise it lasted so long! Sounds exquisite! I've never heard of this before!

    Posted by sulter on 30 Apr 2024
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