Edith Aird - Vivandiere

Edith Aird aged 18 years old, dressed as a Vivandiere.

In October 1887 Lady Smith, wife of the wealthy Kent Town brewer and Lord Mayor, Sir E.T. Smith, invited 800 Adelaide society children aged between 7 and 17 to a fancy dress ball in the Adelaide Town Hall. The resources of the city drapers were stretched to the limit to create the elaborate costumes required, to the point that the shops of Melbourne had also to be called upon for orders.

Among a variety of themes, French-inspired costumes were very popular. Edith Aird of Burnside dressed as a French vivandiere, one of the women who served in the French army up until the beginning of World War One, serving refreshments (including wine) to the troops.

Adelaide photographers, Messrs. Wivell and O'Malley photographed the children and the collection of cabinet portraits was presented to the Mayoress at a ceremony a month later. The Collection is now held by the State Library.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

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