RMIT Design Archives

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The Design Archives is open to the public by appointment. Visit our webpage for details.

The RMIT Design Archives actively collects material relating to Melbourne design from the twentieth century onwards, and is an integral part of a vibrant research centre in the heart of the city.

08/10/2026

Last week, we celebrated 60 years since Linda Jackson AO began studying dressmaking at Emily McPherson College—now part of RMIT University—with a wonderful programme of events.

The celebrations included a special public event at RMIT’s Brunswick campus, featuring a display of garments and an engaging conversation between Linda and cultural historian Laura Jocic. RMIT staff also had the privilege of accompanying Linda as she returned to the Emily McPherson building—now Building 13—for the first time since completing her studies in 1967.

The week concluded with a Masterclass for Advanced Fashion and Textiles Design students, including a collection viewing at the RDA and an opportunity for students to share their work in progress with Linda.

Thank you, Linda, for allowing us to celebrate this significant anniversary with you, and for generously sharing your knowledge, stories, time and archive with us. It was a pleasure to honour your remarkable contribution to Australian fashion.

Image credits: Linda Jackson, Emily McPherson building rooftop; 2 x Linda Jackson and Laura Jocic in conversation public event, The Hanger, RMIT Brunswick campus; Wildflowers outfit, 1976, design by Linda Jackson; Rainbow Opal Hearts outfit, 1983-84, designed by Linda Jackson; Masterclass collection viewing, RMIT Design Archives; 3 x Masterclass student presentations, building 8 studios; Linda Jackson in front of Emily McPherson building. All images September 2026. Photos by RMIT Library (1, 4, 5, 10 Jenna Blyth) (2, 3 Amy Clarke) (6, 7, 8, 9 May Sivakumaran)

02/09/2026

IN CONVERSATION WITH LINDA JACKSON / 28 Sep / free / RMIT Brunswick

It has been 60 years since Linda Jackson studied at Emily Macpherson College (now RMIT). We are delighted to host a conversation between this iconic Australian fashion designer and Laura Jocic, a curator and historian specialising in fashion and textiles.

Join us for this special public event as we explore the experiences and influences that shaped one of Australia’s most distinctive creative voices. Drawing on her personal archive, Jackson will share stories from her early life and education, offering insights into the people, places and ideas that informed her creative journey.

This is a free event but bookings are required. https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/events/2026/sep/in-conversation-linda-jackson

Presented by RMIT Design Archives, part of RMIT University Library, and RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles.

Image credits: Linda Jackson, photo by Hugh Stewart; Student work by Linda Jackson; Linda Jackson, 1997, photo by Kobya Panguana; Rainbow Opal Hearts outfit by Linda Jackson, 1983-84, Joywear parade, 2026, Model Penny Hill/Chadwick Models, photo by Lucus Dawson Photography, production , Image courtesy of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival; Wildflowers by Linda Jackson, 1976, Gift of Linda Jackson, RMIT Design Archives collection, photo Stephanie Bradford; Opalescent by Linda Jackson 1983, Model Geeling, photo by Francois Perez.

25/08/2026

RMIT BUILDING 8 EXTENSION / Compiled by Thomas Muratore

This collection of photographs captures the construction phase of RMIT’s Building 8 extension between 1992 and 1993. Taken by those working in the Edmond and Corrigan office, many of the photographs situate the building in the city and account for the gap between design and built outcome. Together they reveal the incremental adjustment of on-site production, the temporary works, and the contributions of trades in the building process. These photographs are followed by a short film on Building 8 made several years after its completion.

On display 25 August until 19 October, 2026 at the RMIT Design Archives Window.
Thanks to Ann Carew, Simone Rule, Jenna Blyth, Charles Kirwan, Tim McLeod, Erik North and Michael Spooner.

Image credits: Building 8 construction photographs, 1992-1993, Edmond and Corrigan Pty Ltd. RMIT Design Archives, Gift of Edmond and Corrigan 2017. (c) Maggie Edmond; Matthew Corrigan

12/08/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome second-year RMIT fashion students last week as part of their Partnered Projects course. The students explored the archive of fashion designer Hall Ludlow (1919–2003), often considered Australia’s first couturier. A highlight of the visit was examining a selection of unpicked toiles from the collection. Using patterns traced from the toiles, the students will use their knowledge and skills to reconstruct the garments. We’re excited to see the finished pieces!

Highlights from the Hall Ludlow collection can be found on our collections website—link in bio.

Image credit: Students and staff viewing the Hall Ludlow collection, August 2026 Photographer: May Sivakumaran.

03/08/2026

Last Thursday the RDA said to farewell our incredible curatorial officer, Ann Carew, as she stepped into retirement. Ann, among many other duties, has been the voice behind our social media, crafting thoughtful posts about our community, collections and events. Ann's achievements and impact at the RDA are immeasurable and she will be dearly missed by the RMIT Cultural Collections team. We wish her all the best in her retirement endeavours.

Image credit: Ann Carew through the years, Photographers: Marie-Luise Skibbe, 2024; Unknown, 2019; Thomas Hogan, 2021

29/07/2026

The latest issue of the RMIT Design Archives Journal examines the complex relationship between public housing, affordability, sustainability and community in Australia.

Themed ‘Public Housing and the Community’, Volume 16, Number 1 brings together contributors who explore housing as a problem that cannot be addressed through singular solutions.

Edited by Dr. Noel Waite, whose editorial reflects on the recent inquiry into public housing towers in Victoria, the issue features a photographic essay by Benjamin Hosking documenting Atherton Gardens, a public housing estate in Fitzroy. Atherton Gardens is one of 44 high-rise towers scheduled for demolition as part of Victoria’s Big Housing Build.

Nina Tory-Henderson investigates alternative approaches to public housing in Fitzroy and Collingwood during the 1970s and 1980s. Her contribution uncovers a local history of community-led and regionalised housing organisations that adapted existing buildings to provide housing.

Julie Collins examines housing innovations in South Australia during the 1970s, with a focus on the medium-density infill housing developed under Chief Design Architect Newell Platten. Drawing on collections from the South Australian Architecture Museum and the RMIT Design Archives, Collins identifies parallels between housing approaches in South Australia and Victoria.

In a case study of community design, Suxuan Tian considers how design can foster connection and belonging in complex social contexts, referencing a series of workshops held at the Abbotsford Convent.

Patrick Sloyan explores adaptive reuse, affordable housing and everyday design practice through a case study of retrofitting a portable building for his own home in regional Victoria.

Designed by Letterbox, the journal is published in a limited edition of 100 prnited copies.It will shortly be available online through the RMIT Library website and Issuu. To purchase a printed copy, please contact the RMIT Design Archives.

Image credit: Cover, RMIT Design Archives Journal, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2026. Designer: Letterbox

23/07/2026

Step inside the RMIT Design Archives this Saturday as part of Open House Melbourne’s City North Social Innovation Precinct Guided Walking Tour.

Explore archival treasures from Melbourne’s influential post-war architects, housed in Building 100—Design Hub, RMIT’s award-winning building designed by Sean Godsell.

Among the items on display will be a plan and elevation of Sean Godsell’s family home in Beaumaris, designed by his father, architect David Godsell, in 1960. Now recognised as a significant example of post-war modern residential architecture in Victoria, the home was David Godsell’s first residential project.

Discover this and more at the RMIT Design Archives.

🔗 Book your place: https://events.humanitix.com/city-north-social-innovation-precinct-guided-walking-tour

22/07/2026

Good design builds more than a visual identity—it builds loyalty.

As Mimmo Cozzolino observed:

“With time, good design creates a corporate persona which can have far-reaching effects on customer loyalty and new business.” Cozzolino Ellett Design D’Vision Advertising Pamphlet, c. 1980s

Italian-born designer Mimmo Cozzolino emigrated to Australia in 1961 and went on to establish influential studios including All Australian Graffiti with Con Aslanis, Cozzolino Hughes and, with Phil Ellett, Cozzolino Ellett Design D’Vision.

The studio created identities and promotional materials for clients including Kodak, Australia Post, Shell, Spicers and Telecom. Cozzolino and Ellett were also among seven designers commissioned to create artwork for the limited-edition Sydney Olympics 2000 poster series.

To explore more, visit the RDA's online collection database.

Image credit: Promotional sticker for Cozzolino Ellett Design D’Vision, c. 1980s.
Design studio: Cozzolino Ellett Design D’Vision. Gift of Mimmo Cozzolino, collection reference 0002.2016.0094.

14/07/2026

This 1962 record sleeve for “Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata – Pathetique Sonata”, designed by John Catmull for the World Record Club (WRC), reflects the Club's creative and bold approach to graphic design.

From 1958 until 1975, the WRC’s mail‑order subscription service brought classical and light music into homes across Melbourne. The Club’s art director, Geoff Digby, an alumnus of RMIT, commissioned emerging Australian artists, designers and photographers to create artwork for more than 2,000 record covers – now highly sought after by collectors.

As graphic designer Brian Sadgrove has observed: “The World Record Club is the most representative collection of Australian designers’ work in one field, over one decade, that has ever been established. It highlights the years of transition from commercial art to graphic design.”

To see more of these iconic covers, visit the RMIT Design Archives website.

Image credit:
Cover for record titled 'Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata - Pathetique Sonata'" The World Record Club Pty. Ltd., 1962, cover designer John Catmull, Gift of Geoff Digby.

10/07/2026

Often described as Australia’s first couturier, New-Zealand-born Hall Clarence Ludlow arrived in Australia in 1948 and rapidly built a reputation for his stylish and sophisticated custom-made designs for women’s day and evening wear.

This fashion sketch shows a chic winter ensemble, c. 1985: a swing coat and pencil dress. The swing coat features 3/4 length balloon sleeves, with decorative stitching. This stitching is echoed on the collar and curves out along the side seams of the dress. Hall notes that the pencil dress be made in a white wool, while the coat would be made up in a ‘café’ tone, perhaps a coffee-coloured wool, lined with black crepe-de-chine. Hall was renowned for his brilliant colour combinations.

When Hall moved to Australia in 1946, Ludlow settled in Melbourne, where he established a brief partnership with Melbourne fashion designer, Peter Charles. His first Australian collection was commissioned by Symphony Gowns. By 1951he had established his salon Hall Ludlow Haute Couture at the “Paris” end of Collins Street.

In 1955 Hall won the prestigious Australian Gown of the Year award, and then again 1959 for an evening dress and coat of fine white wool, lined in a vivid ‘geranium’ coloured fabric. That same year the Australian Wool Board invited him to create a to promote Australian textiles in London. Ludlow had visited leading Australian Woollen Mills to select the finest fabrics for both summer and winter fashions.

From 1963 until 1974 Ludlow was based in Hong Kong and New York, where he produced collections that were shown in North America and Europe. He returned to Sydney in 1975, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Image credit:
Design for coat and dress, No. 204, designer, Hall Ludlow, Gift of Diane Masters, RMIT Design Archives.

Address

154 Victoria Street
Melbourne, VIC
3053

Telephone

+61399259942

Website

https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/borrowing-and-collections/rmit-design-archives, https://www.designcollection.rmit.edu.au

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