Australian Dress Register

Ella Porter was the daughter of Florence and Herbert Porter and sister to Hazel Porter.  After her father died, she lived in the same house at 434 King St, Newcastle, with her sister and mother.

Ella Porter's date of birth 7th February 1911 at Newcastle; died 25 May 1995 of natural causes in Newcastle. Never married.

The bridesmaid’s gown was one of two worn at the wedding of Essie Morton to Mervyn Taylor who married 1st October 1938 in the Warrior’s Chapel, Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle.

The bride (Essie Taylor nee Morton) was a close friend of both Ella Porter, and Evelyn Elliott (nee Crook).  All three women had matching hand mirrors (see images) with the letter ‘E’ on the back, and they referred to themselves as the “Es.” When Essie married in 1938, Ella was her bridesmaid and Evelyn, who had married the year before, was her matron of honour.

The Newcastle Sun (6th October 1938), tells us that the bride wore a magnolia satin dress with a tulle veil, and carried a bouquet of azalias (sic) and roses. The attendants were in gowns of gold embossed brocade with red velvet sashes, red Victorian bonnets trimmed with flowers, and red posies. The Newcastle Morning Herald (4th October 1938) adds detail of the frilling trim on the hem and the neckline, and that the gowns had short puffed sleeves. 

Ella Porter died in 1995, her sister Hazel in 1997. The latter left the house and most of the contents to the National Trust.  Among the numerous documents and objects are letters and cards between Essie Taylor and Ella Porter over many decades of their friendship. An invitation to the wedding and photos of the wedding were found in albums. 

Ella Porter was the godmother of Essie’s daughter. Other documents include invitations to Essie’s daughter’s christening and birthdays and thankyou notes for presents. This relationship continued with Essie’s granddaughter (including a photo of her at the age of three clutching a clown made by Ella.) 

In 2015 Essie’s daughter donated the dress, a newspaper clipping and a letter from Ella. She also confirmed that Ella’s sister had told her that the red shoes found in the house were worn by Ella, the bridesmaid. 

How does this costume relate to the wider historical context?* (400 words)  

 In the 1930s, Ella Porter, bridesmaid to Essie Morton, was in her late 20s. Unlike so many young women of the time, she never married, and probably worked as a secretary typist and in retail most of her life. It was her income, and her sister’s, which supported their mother. Ella’s father died in the flu epidemic of 1919 when the sisters were very young, so they were never a wealthy family. They learnt to make do and reuse, attested to by the collection of Miss Porter’s House. The sewing machine still in the House today, was bought by mother Florence on her marriage in 1910 from Anthony Hordern and was used throughout the 20th century. The receipt is also in the collection.

Newcastle, being a largely industrial city, was hit hard by the Depression of the 1930s, and by 1938 the effects were still large. We know Ella and her sister Hazel, just beginning their careers, had intermittent and casual work. Even by 1938 when the wedding took place, money would be a consideration.

We have little information on who made the dress, nor the cost of dressmaking and fabric, but given the sewing skills of Ella and her mother, Florence, it’s possible that they had a hand in it. It is unlikely that it is an off-the-peg gown, as it was more usual to employ dressmakers, or have mothers and friends make them.

The dress reflects the fashion of the time as seen in magazines such as the Australian Women’s Weekly. Possibly the bride selected the various styles and trimmings from magazines and dressmaker patterns.

The bridesmaid’s dress was returned to Miss Porter’s House in 2015 by the bride’s daughter. Why she had it, we don’t know.

Research papers, Miss Porter's House; newspaper reports (see Community information) and personal communication with Mrs M. Taylor (Ella's god daughter).

Occasional display at Miss Porter's House.

Ruffles around bottom of hem and two vertical ruffles from waist to hem.

The red ribbon appeared to have been around the waist and attached in three points (front and both sides).

Shirring from centre neckline to waist.

A red ribbon as evidenced by red threads still attached to the garment.

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1. Colour: gold

2. Fibre: silk or rayon

3. Weave: brocade

4. Location for all parts included in this record: One colour and fabric for the whole garment.

Hand made and machine stitched but with some finishing by hand stitching on neckline and hem of sleeves.

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 The dress fastens with four hooks and eyes at the left side.

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An article in the Newcastle Herald reports that the bridesmaids dress was worn with a red bonnet with ribbon tied under the chin, and a Victorian posy of red flowers was held.  However the person who hand-coloured the photograph does not show the vivid gold of the dress or the red colour of the sash and hat, choosing only to colour the posy and cheeks red. Red was a favourite colour of the era.

Images of these objects accompany the text. 

Newspaper article (PH 1944) Newcastle Herald 4th October 1938, describes the wedding event, including a description of the bridesmaid’s dress. 

Wedding invitation (PH1945) to Ella Porter for the wedding of Essie Morton and Mervyn Taylor.

Wedding Photograph (PH 900) includes photograph of Ella Porter in the Bridesmaid’s dress.

Shoes (42718) Red velvet shoes worn with bridesmaid’s dress. 

Hand Mirror (43210) each of the three friends (Ella Porter, Essie Taylor (nee Morton), and Evelyn Elliott (nee Crook) owned an identical mirror all with the letter ‘E’ on the back.  This mirror was owned by Essie Morton and donated to the collection at MPH in 2015. 

Some remnant threads from the red ribbon (sewn to the waistline).

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