Emily Margaret Tinne

Yesterday, in the Walker Art Gallery, I came across a selection of clothing they had displayed, just a few items from the masses of clothing they own, from Victorian times to present day. And the 20s black evening dress on display was owned by none other than my great-grandmother, Emily Margaret Tinne. One of the museum staff came by just then and said something like, "Oh everyone stops and looks at that one, you could wear it today, couldn't you?" So I told him it was my great-grandmothers, and he took me to the computer screen in the corner where you could find out more about each outfit, and it had all kind of information about Emily, and her clothes. Get this- they have over 700 items of her clothing. Apparently she was a major shop-a-holic. With too much money. When she died, her daughter Alexine- that's my great-aunt that I'm visiting here in Liverpool- donated the 50 or so trunks of clothing to the Museum. Many things still have the price tags on! They're having an exibition of her clothes at the end of April- I shall have to make an attempt to come back and see it.

It was really interesting, and really cool to be in a place where I have so much family history, and at the same time kind of mindblowing how she could aquire so much stuff that she never even wore. Is it any wonder I've seen the tendency to buy and hoard more and more stuff, to find security in owning material possesions, passed down through subsequent generations? I hope I never fall into the same pattern...

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/craftdesign/puttingstyle/eveningdress.asp


A Passion for Fashion: A Liverpool Lady's Wardrobe
29 April to 30 July 2006
Browse through the fabulous wardrobe of a true shopaholic! Mrs Tinne, bought extensively from many Liverpool shops and dressmakers during the 1920s and '30s. Visitors to this exhibition will be delighted by the array of wonderful daywear, eveningwear, coats, swimwear and accessories she collected and lovingly preserved.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication about the Mrs Tinne collection.
http://www.artinliverpool.com/moreinfo/nmlwalkerjan06.htm