Exhibition Review. COLLETTE DINNIGAN: UNLACED

Sydney based Fashion Designer,Collette Dinnigan is the subject of a new retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, formerly the Powerhouse Museum. For the first time, the 25 year creative output of this ” obsessive creative ” has been assembled here revealing the evolution of a brand reknown here and internationally for it’s highly flattering,wearable and classic designs crafted from the finest of luxury fabrics.Working with the fluidity and gentle softness of silks no Australian fashion designer before or since has consistently produced clothes that are so luxurious and wearable or reminiscent of the breathtakingly beautiful and refined clothes of Italian fashion house,Valentino

The designer and her designs.

Viewers to the exhibition are treated to five rooms of 70 garments, tracing all the milestones of this South African born designer’s career, from small scale beginnings in 1990 making lingerie for friends, her first foray into Paris,fashion’s international hub leading to the rare distinction of being the only Aussie designer to date, invited in 1995, by France’s Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show annually at Paris Fashion Week.From there her fashion brand spread like wildfire with royalty, international film stars and celebrities soon becoming loyal clients of the designers sensuous dresses and evening gowns with it’s trademark intricate lace or bead embellishment.

The low lit main room features a fine display of garments sourced from early to the most recent of Collette’s collections, viewable on mannequins ” in the round ” from all angles.Overlooking this is a continuously changing images of catwalk models modelling a multitude of designs. Another room features the garments in the designers preferred fabric of lace (see image below left). Due space is given to Colette’s many sources of inspiration,like travel and Art Deco art movement in a wonderful the colour themed room alongside a special space for fashionistas and creatives alike to sketch designs on the paper provided.

lace designs displayed at the exhibition

printed silk dress

detail of fine beaded handiwork 

WHERE: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences(Powerhouse  Museum)

500 Harris St, Ultimo

WHEN: Daily 10 – 5pm, now through to August 2016

www.maas.museum/powerhouse-museum