Elvie Hill (1917 – 31 July 2018) was an Australian

fashion design Fashion design is the Art (skill), art of applying design, aesthetics, clothing construction and natural beauty to clothing and its Fashion accessory, accessories. It is influenced by culture and different trends, and has varied over time and plac ...

er.

Career

Elvie Hill established an eponymous label in the 1940s in Melbourne and became well known for her elegant and feminine designs. She dressed some of Australia's best known women, including Lady Sonia McMahon and

Dame Pattie Menzies Dame Pattie Maie Menzies GBE (2 March 189930 August 1995) was the wife of Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies. Biography Menzies was born as Pattie Maie Leckie at Alexandra, Victoria, the eldest daughter of John Le ...

, and was also known for her boutiques in Melbourne (her boutique on the "Paris-end" of Collins Street stayed open until 1991). Hill's work was influenced by other Australian designers such as

Norman Hartnell Sir Norman Bishop Hartnell, KCVO (12 June 1901 – 8 June 1979) was a leading British fashion designer, best known for his work for the ladies of the royal family. Hartnell gained the Royal Warrant as Dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth in 1940, an ...

. She retired at age 80 in 1999. In 2016, photographer

Tom McEvoy Thomas K. McEvoy (born November 14, 1944, in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a professional poker player, author and member of the Poker Hall of Fame, 2013 inductee. He is best known for winning the 1983 World Series of Poker Main Event. Early life ...

staged a retrospective as part of Melbourne Fashion Festival's Cultural Program, citing her work as an important piece of Australian fashion history at risk of being forgotten. Hill celebrated her 100th birthday in January 2018 and died in July 2018.

References

Australian women artists 2018 deaths 1917 births Australian fashion designers Australian women fashion designers Australian women company founders Australian company founders Australian centenarians Women centenarians {{Fashion-designer-stub