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LouieSaturday Powerhouse (Part 2)
August 20th 2007 05:56
Fashion From Fleece - Pierre Cardin Red Dress - image from sydneydesign.com.au
Continued from my previous post.....
Fashion from Fleece celebrates the story of wool throughout the last 200 years in Australia, and showcases wool in fashion from the last century. Australia is now the leading producer of fine Merino wool, as it generates around half a billion kilograms each year.
From the early 19th Century with pioneers Marsden and Macarthur the wool industry began its boom, until it was under threat from cotton becoming the more economic fabric around the 1860s. Thanks to smart science in crossbreeding and animal engineering, Australians began to produce Merino wool which became known for its strong and soft fleece.
During WWII, Britain was the sole importer of Australian wool for the war efforts and shearers were in such demand that they were barred from enlisting. After the war rations began the new era of luxury with Christian Dior leading the way in revolutionary woollen style.
1947 Christian Dior Bar Suit - image from designgalleries.org
In 1988, the Australian Bicentennial Wool Collection proved an important event amongst the design elite, and featured fashion from Versace amongst others. In this decade, Armani began creating his classically tailored wool suits. Overall wool is still going strong, and Merino wool continues to provide fashion designers with a versatile and quality fabric for their art.
Sydney Design Festival '07 - image from sydneydesign.com.au
The clothing featured within the beautifully lit runway style exhibition included fashions from the 1930’s, when women began to move away from heavy corsetry into more comfortable clothing a la Coco Chanel. The 40’s was more practical, the 50’s was feminine. The 60’s was a time of Andre Courreges, Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin et al, and their gorgeous take on the mini dress in sweet geometrics made from wool.
Fashion From Fleece Exhibition - image from merinoinnovation.com.au
Jenny Kee was the darling of Australian hand knitted designs in the 1980’s, along with Ken Done and some others who exploited colour as their main medium. The 1990’s proved a time for exotic glamour, as shown in the dresses from Donna Karan, and the classic Chanel suit, while Marc Jacobs kept it preppy with woollen silk blends in cute pleated skirts and blazers.
A predominant part of the exhibit was Australian designs from recent years, including Akira Isogawa, Collette Dinnigan, Josh Goot, and Tina Kalivas. There was an incredible Jayson Brunsdon dress, in his characteristic jewel colour (deep amethyst) and a stunning mini dress with an original Indian style appliqué from Easton Pearson.
While this exhibition gave me a good understanding of the history of wool, and showed some historical masterpieces in a stunning setting, I still left the exhibit wanting more. Considering however that this particular show was free with entry into the museum, I considered that it was of appropriate value.
Powerhouse Museum Pyrmont Sydney - image from powerhousemuseum.com
It was thoroughly enjoyable to have a wander through and get a close look at some works of art displayed with their due honour and respect. I left my day at the Powerhouse feeling well cultured, and inspired by fashion as an ongoing art form.
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