Florence Broadhurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florence Broadhurst
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Tennis Party at Mount Perry (Florence Broadhurst is second from left.)
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| Born |
Florence Maud Broadhurst
28 July 1899 |
| Died | 15 October 1977 (aged 78) |
| Cause of death | Homicide by Blunt Force Injury |
| Other names | Miss Bobby, Bobby Broadhurst, Madame Pellier |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) | Percy Walter Gladstone Kann (m.1929) |
| Partner(s) | Leonard Lloyd-Lewis (1939 - circa 1960) |
| Children | 1 |
Florence Maud Broadhurst (born July 28, 1899 – died October 15, 1977) was an amazing Australian artist. She was known for her bright and bold wallpaper and fabric designs. Florence was also a talented singer, dancer, and musician. She was a smart businesswoman, helped charities, and even taught others.
Florence Broadhurst passed away in Sydney, Australia. The mystery of her death has never been solved.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Florence Broadhurst was born in a place called Mount Perry, Queensland, Australia. Her family lived on a property called Mungy Station. Her father, William Broadhurst, started as a stockman and later became a grazier and hotel owner.
A Star on Stage
Florence loved to sing and won many local singing competitions called eisteddfods. She joined a performance group called the "Smart Set Diggers." They put on shows in Toowoomba, Queensland.
In 1922, Florence left Australia to travel the world. She used the stage name Miss Bobby. She joined a comedy group called the "Globe Trotters" and later the "Broadcasters." She also performed with the "Carlton Follies" and "Carlton Sparklers." These groups toured many countries in South East Asia and China.
People loved her singing and her energetic charleston dancing. Newspapers in other countries, like the Eastern Mail Delhi and the South China Morning Post, even featured her photos.
Teaching in Shanghai
In 1926, Florence opened her own school in Shanghai, China. It was called the Broadhurst Academy. There, she taught many different subjects. Students could learn violin, piano, how to sing, and even how to play the banjolele. She also taught modern and classical dancing, music, and journalism.
Life in England
Florence returned to Queensland in 1927. After a car accident, she moved to England. In 1929, she married an English stockbroker named Percy Walter Gladstone Kann. They started a fashion business together called Pellier Ltd, Robes & Modes. Florence even called herself Madame Pellier.
Later, Florence and Percy separated. She then married Leonard Lloyd-Lewis, who was an engineer. They lived in Banstead, Surrey. During World War II, Florence helped Australian soldiers through the Australian Women's Voluntary Services. In 1949, Florence, Leonard, and their son Robert moved back to Australia.
An Artist's Journey
Florence loved to travel and created many beautiful landscape paintings. She painted 114 different scenes. Her first art show, called "Paintings of Australia," was in 1954. It was held at the David Jones Art Gallery in Sydney. Her art was also shown in Brisbane and Canberra.
Florence was a founding member of the Art Gallery Society of New South Wales. She also belonged to the Society of Interior Designers of Australia. She taught printmaking and sculpture at the National Art School. Florence was very active in many charity groups. She even ran a car sales company with her son for a while.
Designing Wallpapers
In 1959, Florence started her own company called Australian (Hand Printed) Wallpapers Pty Ltd. It later became Florence Broadhurst Wallpapers Pty Ltd. She proudly advertised it as "the only studio of its kind in the world." Her studio was in Paddington.
Florence's designs were famous for being bright, colorful, and often very large. They featured geometric shapes and patterns inspired by nature. All her wallpapers were printed by hand. Her studio also made new discoveries. They learned how to print on shiny metallic surfaces. They also created a special washable, vinyl coating. A new drying system helped them make many wallpapers quickly.
By 1972, her company had about 800 different designs. These designs came in eighty different colors! By the mid-1970s, Florence's company was the top choice for high-quality wallpapers in Australia. She was also selling her designs all over the world.
The Legacy of Her Designs
After Florence passed away in 1977, her collection of wooden printing screens and designs was sold. It went to a company called Wilson Fabrics and Wallcoverings. However, wallpaper became less popular in the 1980s. So, the collection was sold again to Signature Prints Pty Ltd.
In the early 2000s, Signature Prints worked hard to make Florence's designs famous overseas. This effort, along with a new interest in wallpaper, made her designs very popular. Deals were made to sell her wallpapers in the UK and the US in 2003.
In 2017, the Florence Broadhurst archive was bought by Signature Design Archive. Today, her designs are used for more than just wallpaper. Famous fashion designers like Akira Isogawa, Nicky Zimmermann, and Karen Walker have used her patterns. In 2008, a collection of rugs with her designs was released. Even a French swimwear company, Vilebrequin, used one of her prints in 2019.
A Mysterious End
Florence Broadhurst passed away on October 15, 1977, at her business in Paddington. The cause of her death was never fully understood, and the case remains unsolved.
See also
- List of unsolved murders
