Fashions of Multicultural Australia Catwalk Parade

'Fashion is a common denominator among all cultures -and a catalyst for social cohesion'

www.fomaustralia.com.au

Fashions of Multicultural Australia (FOMA) is a first-ever national initiative 

that will integrate cultures and foster social cohesion 

through the universally binding industry that is fashion.

A colourful, exuberant and visually stunning fashion parade will be held at Nanda/Hobbs Contemporary Gallery in Sydney on March 10th 2018.

www.nandahobbs.com

The initiative will provide a platform for Indigenous, CALD ( Culturally and linguistically diverse) and refugee designers and trendsetters from across the globe. 

Additionally, FOMA will foster deeper cultural understanding within communities and promote cross-cultural artistry.

I have always believed fashion (and food) to be unifiers in our complicated and divisive world. 

Fashion is a visual form of storytelling. 

Fashion tells us about the designer, about the wearer, about the times in which a garment was worn, where and why. It opens a window to social, cultural, fashion, women and men's histories. 

Fashion is fabulous! 

 I am proud to join Anupam, Julie and Monika as an inaugural Ambassador 

of this incredible fashion and cultural initiative. 

 Designers included the 2018 Inaugural Fashion Parade

Inspiring stories of cultural identity from Turkey, Christmas & Cocos Keeling Islands, the Philippines,
Aboriginal Australia and Portugal

Designers from Lebanon, Pakistan, Peru, Brazil and Africa continue the global fashion story

For more information about this first-ever multicultural fashion event please go to www.fomaustralia.com.au

The Darnell Collection grows with major fashion donation

This was the adventure I just had - 

to collect an important fashion collection recently gifted to The Darnell Collection. 

A rare Victorian bustle skirt. Silk satin, synthetic dyed fuchsia colour

Whoever would have thought that custodianship of 

one of ten significant private fashion collections in the world 

would take me to wild, remote and pristine Bruny Island, off the east coast of Tasmania. 

Marion (who passed away last year) was a collector of great taste. 

Her preference for outlandishly extravagant Victorian garments, delicate 1920s clothes, 

and designer garments from the Fifties through the Eighties, 

including Mme Gres, Jacques Heim, Emanuel Ungaro and Pierre Cardin, 

along with accessories including crocodile handbags and fringed gloves from the 30s, 

fur stoles from the 50s, and diamanté-decked mules from French designers in the 60s, 

created an intriguing and rare collection of fashion history.

Mme Gres, Guy Laroche, Emanuel Ungaro and other labels stacked on the bed waiting
to be packed into enormous suitcases

My journey to the Tasmanian collection included
a train, plane, rental car, ferry and then a one hour drive on the only road on the island - dirt -
with glimpses of azure blue seas, pine covered hills, white lighthouses, and no one else on the road!

I arrived at the house, perched high on a cliff overlooking one of the most beautiful bays on the island, and was practically blown into the entrance of the magnificent house, filled with antiques,
to discover what had been gifted to my collection.

A beautiful mauve, emerald metallic thread and velvet 1920s evening coat

Marion's collection was stored in pristine condition, quite a feat living on an island, so everything I emptied from the drawers of mahogany chests on chests, wardrobes and chests of drawers 

were in immaculate order. 

With ABC Classic FM radio playing in the background, I packed up 5 enormous suitcases in rhythm to Bach and Mozart concertos. 

700 pieces (141.67 kilos) later I drove off, back down the two kms dirt driveway 

to the chained gate through which I drove before it was locked up again, 

and headed back to the ferry and then on to Hobart where I stayed the night 

before flying back to Sydney the next day. 

Now, not only have I added an extraordinary fashion element to The Darnell Collection, 

but along with this gift I can also add the evocative story of the setting in which I found myself, 

the adventure of getting there and back, and of course, most importantly, 

the story of Marion and her devoted husband Terry.

The Darnell Collection is a collection of fashion. 

BUT it is more than that. 

It is a collection that tells social history and women's journey's through fashion, 

and Marion's story is one of dedication, passion and pride. 

I feel very lucky to include this treasure with mine. 

This is why the Darnell Collection is unique in the world.

The view from my hotel room at Alonha, Tasmania

Mahogany chest on chest filled with Marion's collection, beautifully stored in acid free tissue.

Elaborate silk thread embroidery on a silk kimono from the 1920s

Olivia modelling this stunning 1920s house robe

Marion looking demure and young in the early 1940s

Another breathtaking Bruny Island view as I drove to the collection

Dress for Success Sydney and The Darnell Collection present '100 Years of Power Dressing' 2015

Brigitte Grant Photography's exquisite photographs capture the glamour, elegance and high voltage evening on June 17th when celebrities, high profile women, passionate supporters of Dress for Success Sydney, and hundreds of guests, behind the scenes helpers and a massive media contingent, got together to make the evening a phenomenal success.

305 guests were entertained with stories, models with 'attitude' and glorious couture gowns (not to mention the handsome escorts who helped the models with their long trains and fragile gowns).

Special thanks to Australasian Hair & Beauty, Sydney; Rocket Hair; Prema Hair (Matthew Rogan Hair) and Westfield Sydney for their platinum sponsorship of the charity event. xx

Here are a few photographs that relive this extraordinary evening. Thank you to everyone involved.

Wearing a purple and silver lurex gown from the 60s, I was more than delighted to receive a huge bunch of red roses at the end of the evening. From David Jones, no less!

Eleni Vergotis and Joe Ayat look appropriately sophisticated for 2000. Ellen wears Vivienne Westwood Couture

Marta Dusseldorp recreates 'Charlotte Gray' wearing a dress from War Time 1940s

Olivia de Govrik and Sam Ayat bring an empowered 2000 to life. Olivia wears a gown by Michelle Jank - and 15 meters of Merino wool jersey!

Our '100 Years of Power Dressing' begins with Kelly Doust (author of Minxy Vintage) and Mathew Lynn (Painter and Archibald finalist) wearing a divine lace dress from 1900

Kelly Doust - a beautiful Edwardian lady

Rebecca Peronne knows how to wear Claude Montana (1990s)

Fabuloously stylish and extra sparkling, Eleni in Westwood (2013)

Sky News has never been so colourful!

The beautiful Alexia Gnocchi Ruscone wears a floaty creation by Danica of Double Bay (1970)

Stunning Janice Petersen, SBS World News, wears a tantalising lace pant suit by Ann Pakradooni of Philadelphia (1970s)

Alexi does her 70s moves!

Crystal Carrington meets her match with beautiful Georgie Gardner (Channel Nine) dressed in Victor Costa (80s) 

Crystal aka Georgie!

Never has the 90s been so perfectly recreated! Regal Deborah Knight (Chanel Nine) does her moves dressed in Valentino Haute Couture

A Claude Montana couture wedding suit is perfectly worn by super chic Rebecca and her handsome escort Tim Ball (90s)

Stunning Alex Wileman swaps TV reality clothes (Kokoda Challenge) for a tulle and silver paillettes ballgown (90s)

Flawless and poised Olivia rocks a 70s gilt mesh snake belt in her hair!

Our next generation of empowered women (Olivia and Eleni are 15!)

Janice strikes a bit of a Saturday Night/Bee Gees pose

Author and TV personality, Claudia Chan Shaw makes a perfect 20s pose - so Hercule Poirot

Deni Hines, Jazz singer extraordinaire, adds a note of grace to her 20s silk ensemble

Claudia and Deni are escorted by the suave Stuart White as they bring the Gatsby to life

Serene beauty Marija is svelte in her 30s silk and metallic thread gown and mink stole

Super svelte!!

Mathew Lyn is lead down the catwalk by Marta Dusseldorp!

Joe, Olivia, Sam and Eleni pose in 60s ensembles (Pucci for the girls) as guests arrive

Tim Ball and 'MadMen' bombshell (and incredible Jazz singer) Penelope Sai make their mark (1950s) 

Feisty, perky and gorgeous Jacinta Tynan, Sky News, rocks a 60s Geoffrey Beene wool ensemble

With cheekbones to die for, sultry Sharon McKenzie, Sky News, rocks an OP Art Leonard of Paris
wool jumpsuit from the 1960s

Straight from the set of MadMen, Penelope wears a stunning silk dress worn by
Australian Mezzo Soprano, Margreta Elkins

The Divine Suzie Mack, TVSN, knows how to wear Valentina, and dance with Rat Pack, Donny Galella, Stylist at Channel 7. I don't think you could get more sequins or glass beads onto a mini dress - and I don't think you could find a more perfect person to wear this!

Marta amuses herself as I recount a long story about her dress!!!

The Belles of the 60s Ball! Suzie, Sharon and Jacinta

Super star and stunning Miss Universe Australia, Tegan Martin, wears Oscar de la Renta and Emanuel Ungaro (1980s)

Kirsty Simmonds, organiser and passionate DfSS supporter, without whom my involvement
as Ambassador and host of the gala would never have happened.
And behind her, a fellow Ambassador, Kirsten Galliot, Editor in Chief, Qantas Magazine, MC's the event