Hibodress Factory, Sydney
Object numberM2017/023:005
TitleHibodress Factory, Sydney
CreatorHibodress, Goulburn Studios
DescriptionThis is a black and white photograph of the 1st Hibodress PTY LTD Factory in Woolloomooloo, Sydney. The exact date is not known, but it could have been taken between 1949-1955. In the image, there are 20 female seamstresses, with John Horak (who is Olga Horak’s husband) in a white coat in the centre of the photograph.
John Horak had trained as a Textile Engineer in Brno, Moravia (i.e. he studied the science of fabric). He graduated from the Brno Academy but his degree was not recognized in Sydney. “The textile industry was undeveloped in Australia”. Olga and John set up a factory producing blouses. Olga had no formal training but describes herself as a great improviser and artistically inclined. The factory was established by the Horak’s two weeks after arriving in Sydney in 1949.
For many post-war Jewish immigrants, the fashion industry offered accessible opportunities for realising a new life, particularly if they were prepared to work hard, innovate and adapt. In addition, it was often easy to operate in the rag trade where language barriers were less acute. It is significant, like associated items M2017/023:001 /:002 /:003 and: 004, as it is an example of the types of items manufactured by survivors who immigrated to Australia and established their lives and careers after the war.
Hibodress was located at 85 Forbes Street, Woolloomooloo.
John Horak had trained as a Textile Engineer in Brno, Moravia (i.e. he studied the science of fabric). He graduated from the Brno Academy but his degree was not recognized in Sydney. “The textile industry was undeveloped in Australia”. Olga and John set up a factory producing blouses. Olga had no formal training but describes herself as a great improviser and artistically inclined. The factory was established by the Horak’s two weeks after arriving in Sydney in 1949.
For many post-war Jewish immigrants, the fashion industry offered accessible opportunities for realising a new life, particularly if they were prepared to work hard, innovate and adapt. In addition, it was often easy to operate in the rag trade where language barriers were less acute. It is significant, like associated items M2017/023:001 /:002 /:003 and: 004, as it is an example of the types of items manufactured by survivors who immigrated to Australia and established their lives and careers after the war.
Hibodress was located at 85 Forbes Street, Woolloomooloo.
Production periodpost-World War II
Object namephotographs
Techniquephotography
Dimensions
- photograph height: 204.00 mm
width: 254.00 mm
Language
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Grace Wiggins