With more than 1,000 brooches in his personal collection, Bundaberg-born Trevor Green is sharing these varied and unique designs in a special foyer exhibition at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre.
Brooches are for Trevor opened recently and has already received rave reviews from hundreds of visitors.
Timeless, versatile and with the power to enhance any outfit, brooches are a decorative jewellery item that has spanned the space of time from the Bronze Age to fashion houses of today.
Trevor’s collection captures the beauty of light, colour and texture highlighting the intricacies of each brooch.
Exhibiting his collection is another aspect of Trevor’s artistic interests having had an impressive career as a professional singer, dancer, actor and director.
What started out as one brooch gifted to him by a friend two years ago has resulted in a magnificent collection of 1,200 pieces.
“I am humbled to exhibit my collection,” Trevor said.
“When I had my 60th birthday party, I asked my guests to bring a brooch instead of a gift to pin on me as they arrived and ended up with 200.
“Since then, I’ve added more sourcing them from op shops or given to me by friends.
“It’s interesting because I’ve never come across any that are the same.”
Trevor said in recent years brooches have become popular again, particularly in Europe’s fashion houses.
“Men are now wearing them on their suits and there are a few suitable ones in my collection that are quite strong designs.”
Included in the exhibition are some of Trevor’s favourites including a brooch that’s over 100 years old from Scotland which was gifted to him by the family of a former dance teacher.
The other was worn by his mother on her wedding day.
Trevor’s interest in brooches has now been taken to another level where he is researching the history of pieces in his collection.
“Everything has a little story behind it and with some there are hidden meanings like eternal or unrequited love.
“I enjoy finding out that history and how they were made.
“One piece I found was created by Donald Simpson who was an iconic jewellery designer from the 1940s to 1970s.”
Trevor said he had enjoyed the positive reaction from hundreds of visitors to the exhibition which, for some, had brought back special memories for them.
A guest book placed in the foyer has revealed the personal reactions from visitors including a 101-year-old who wrote she had never seen anything like this.
The exhibition runs until 18 December.
Find out more in the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre program here.
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