One of the world’s largest fashion collections, worth over $1.4 million, heads to Melbourne.

The National Gallery of Victoria has recently acquired one of the world’s most extensive French haute couture collections, featuring pieces from leading designers such as Christian Dior, Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin. The highly sought-after $1.4 million collection features 130 works spanning 1800-2003 and also includes rare workbooks and photography by Yves Saint Laurent and Madame Grès.

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Foundation Board member and major donor Mrs Krystyna Campbell-Pretty gifted the gallery with the collection in memory of her late husband, Mr Harold Campbell-Pretty. “He was a committed supporter of the NGV and a great lover of women’s fashion,” said Krystyna Campbell-Pretty. “The gift, in his memory, is an outstanding opportunity to recognise both of these passions in honouring a most elegant man, a true gentleman. It would have pleased him greatly to know that such an important collection and archive are now with us in Melbourne, to be shared with the community. It is very satisfying to think that the exquisite beauty of these pieces can now be enjoyed by so many others.” 

The collection itself was amassed by...