The National Sports Museum is pleased to announce its most recent donation, a collection of tennis fashion from top Australian player Judy Dalton.
The National Sports Museum received more than 20 unique tennis garments, all created for Dalton by British designer Ted Tinling in the 1960s and 70s.
Dalton played on the world circuit from 1957 to 1977 and was a pioneer on the women’s tour.
As one of the original players on the Virginia Slims Invitational circuit in 1971, she was among those who paved the way in equal pay and opportunities for women in both amateur and professional ranks.
Dalton is proud that her tennis attire will be part of one of the largest collections of sporting memorabilia in Australia.
“It’s wonderful to see these garments being preserved at the National Sports Museum for future generations," Dalton said at a handover in January.
"I have many happy memories of these dresses and I’m so proud to share them with the country."
Helen Walpole, curator of the National Sports Museum, is excited to add the garments to the museum’s collection of sport apparel.
“This is an internationally significant collection of tennis fashion, representing a pioneering time in women’s tennis,” said Ms Walpole. “The dresses are haute couture in their own right.
"Each item shows Tinling’s trademark humour as well as reflecting Dalton’s bright personality. The National Sports Museum is extremely honoured that Mrs Dalton has decided to donate them and we look forward to adding them to our collection.”
The donation includes 14 bespoke tennis dresses with five matching cardigans, a lace jacket and a pair of lace tennis briefs, all designed by Tinling. Each garment features intricate detailing from tennis racquet motif lace to embroidery inspired by old eight-hole punch computer tape.
The lace tennis briefs are reminiscent of the pair Tinling created for Gertrude “Gussie” Moran in 1947, causing a scandal in the press at Wimbledon that year. Tinling was instrumental in bringing colour, style and femininity to tennis-wear of the post-war era.
Dalton also donatd a Slazenger tennis racquet that was used for a significant portion of her early international career. The racquet is decorated with a gold monogram of Dalton’s initials before she was married.
A special selection of the new items is set to go on display at the National Sports Museum later in 2012.