Reviews

March 15, 2022

Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson: ‘Step Into Paradise’ exhibition

In 1973 Jenny Kee opened her Flamingo Park store in the Strand Arcade. ‘Step into Paradise’ was the sign that hung on the door. The shop was described as “romantic, exotic and kitsch” by Jenny – a riot of colour, texture, and pattern. It showcased vintage clothing finds from London, Linda Jackson’s unique creations, and Jenny’s famous knits.

The exhibition is showing at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney until 22 March 2020. It celebrates the creative partnership between these two inspiring Australian fashion designers as well as their individual achievements in the fashion world. Over 150 garments, textiles, photographs, and artworks are on display. These items give us an in-depth insight into their design style, sources of inspiration and creative evolution.

Flamingo Park was a ‘must-see’ destination in the 70s and 80s. Famous visitors included David Bowie, Christie Brinkley, Lauren Bacall, and Olivia Newton-John. They were a global sensation! Local and international celebrities wore their clothes. Remember the media frenzy when Princess Diana wore the Jenny Kee koala jumper to a polo match in 1982?

Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson’s creations were brightly coloured, heavily patterned or both. They were inspired by everything iconically Australian. Years spent exploring the bush, especially in and around the Blue Mountains, influenced their Australian flora and fauna themes. Other sources of inspiration were semi-precious stones like opals, Australian landmarks, and indigenous art.

Here’s a sneak peek into some of the fabulous outfits on display.

Step Into Paradise: the store

Mock up of Jenny Kee's Flamingo Park store in Sydney circa 1973

Mockup of Jenny Kee’s Flamingo Park store in Sydney, 1973

Bright pink, over-sized knitted top with Jenny Kee motif on the back. Mannequins in 50’s style outfits on the right.

Glamorous evening gowns inside the mockup of Jenny Kee’s store, Flamingo Park.

Three dresses from the Flamingo Park store circa 1973

Australian Themes

Hand knitted wattle dresses 1978

Waratah dress

Three garments featuring Australian wildflower motifs and boomerangs.

Australian wildflower themes with hearts and boomerangs

Three Jenny Kee hand knits in earthy colours.

Hand knitted pieces in earthy tones. Intarsia knits. The Australian bush inspired these scribbly bark and leaf patterns.

Two outfits that feature water themes, dolphins and fish.

Celebrating the ocean and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson: Bold Colour and Pattern Statements

Jenny Kee mannequin wears her iconic red glasses and densely patterned scarf and jumper.

Beads, feathers, ruffles, and striking colours.

Mannequin wears an bright, bold outfit featuring large rounded shapes.

Bright, saturated colours and large shapes make this outfit anything but ‘beige’.

Asian inspired jacket with pointy, exaggerated shoulders and appliqué.

Ethnic Themes

An outfit from Linda Jackson’s ‘Indigo’ collection

Outfits feature beading and vivid colours

Beading, vivid colours, triangular and diamond shapes give these outfits an African feel. Colourful organic shapes reference Australian opals.

Jenny Kee ‘Harvest Goddess’ costume designed for the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000

Portraits of Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson

Mixed media portraits (drawing and paper collage) of Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson were a fitting way to end the exhibition.

Jenny Kee

Linda Jackson

Would you like to see more photos of amazing outfits and jewellery from fashion designer and artist exhibitions? Here are links to Dior, Cartier, Guo Pei, Hermes, Frieda Kahlo Museum, Viktor & Rolf.

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March 02, 2020

Guo Pei: ‘Legend’ extravaganza at the NGV

The National Gallery of Victoria’s impressive inaugural Triennial exhibition featured displays of contemporary artists from 32 countries. A stand out for me was the collection of wonderful creations from Chinese born fashion designer Guo Pei. The stunning costumes were from her 2017 Spring/Summer ‘Legend’ couture parade.

All of the ‘Legend’ pieces were on loan from a private collection. These amazing gowns showcased Guo Pei’s remarkable imagination and design prowess. Bringing her phenomenal concepts to life took hundreds of skilled artisans thousands of hours to complete.

Pei’s inspiration came from her visit to the baroque cathedral of St. Gall in Switzerland. She was mesmerised by the stunning ethereal murals, its dome and the rich gold ornaments. And so began a two-year journey of inspiration and creation leading to these impressive haute couture gowns.

This display was a feast of sparkling crystals, sumptuous embroidery and silk. As well as feathers, metal, PVC, dazzling gold thread and organza.

Here are some of the photos I took during my visit.

Ensembles

Black chest piece and lace gown

Lantern sleeve gown

Deep green and gold dress

Feathered gown

Angel gown with gold

Skirt of Angel dress with gold

White Goddess

Luminous spirit

Fantasy Footwear

Suede and beaded shoes from Guo Pei's Legend collection

Gold fantasy footwear Guo Pei Legend collection

Fabulous Fabrics

Red Goddess dress metallic fabric Guo Pei Legend collection

Heavily embroidered fabric Legend Collection Guo Pei

Dazzling emboidered fabric from Guo Pei's Legend collection

Silk, polyester, pvc and emboidery used to make a Guo Pei Legend collection dress

Feathers on fabric Guo Pei Legend collection

The Finale

Guo Pei’s ‘Legend’ couture fashion show ended spectacularly with this Red Goddess gown. Carmen Dell’Orefice, octogenarian and American model, paraded the gown which is said to symbolise blood. Made from metallic fabric, silk, crystals and embroidery, this sculptural piece makes a dramatic statement as you enter and exist the exhibition.

Guo Pei Legend collection Red Goddess ensemble

Red Goddess ensemble with train Guo Pei Legend collection

Ann Vodicka is a Sydney based image consultant and personal stylist. She believes that all her clients have their own unique sense of personal style and she delights in helping them express it!

Image Confidence was created to help you look your best with minimum effort and maximum impact.

Contact Ann to start your transform to image confidence.

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March 21, 2018

‘Hermes at Work’ Exhibition: Artisans Share their Talents and Skills

Hermes is a family run business spanning 5 generations. The brand is synonymous with luxury and quality workmanship. The ‘Hermes at Work’ exhibition at Melbourne Town Hall was a feast for the eyes. Artisans offered us a rare and privileged look into how each items is made.

Is was a wonderful interactive experience. Each skilled crafts-person explained and demonstrated how they transform materials such as leather, silk, precious gems and ceramics into stunning handbags, gloves, scarves, watches, jewellery, saddles and finely painted porcelain. One of the highlights was looking through the jeweller’s 15x magnifying glass at the piece he was working on; a Galop Hermes bracelet featuring 2,500 plus diamonds – dazzling!

It was a fascinating world to experience. one which requires incredible skill, time, patience, an eye for detail and a passion for excellence.

‘Hermes at Work’ is at Melbourne Town Hall until 17 March (closed 12 March). If you’re in the CBD it is definitely worth a visit.

The Leatherworker

Making the handle of a ‘Kelly’ bag

Picking up the main bag section

The Tie-Maker

Hand stitching a silk twill tie

Sewing a single thread slip stitch

The Glover

Softened leather to be transformed into gloves

Rainbow of colours to be made into gloves

The Silk Printer

The ‘flat frame’ silk printing technique

Man uses 'flat frame' silk printing technique

The Porcelain Painter

Hand painted porcelain plates

The artisan uses a fine sable-hair brush to paint the plate

Ann Vodicka is a Sydney based image consultant who is passionate about style and design. She believes you can be stylish at any age, and loves helping people dress to express their individuality, and, to dress for success.

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March 09, 2018

Australia and The House of Dior 70 years on

The National Gallery of Victoria’s ‘The House of Dior – Seventy Years of Haute Couture’ is in its final week. It is a phenomenal exhibition featuring over 140 exquisite garments and accessories designed by The House of Dior’s seven creative directors.

If you missed this feast of haute couture or would like to ‘re-visit’ the exhibition one more time, I’ve compiled a small collection of my photos below.

A Little History

Based at 30 Avenue Montaigne Paris, Christian Dior released his first couture collection in 1947. Dubbed the ‘New Look’ collection, it would change women’s fashion forever. Gone were the utilitarian styles of wartime. In its place: tiny waists, soft shoulder lines and fairytale-like long, full skirts.

The Australian connection began in the following year. David Jones paraded fifty of Dior’s original designs at their Sydney city store as part of their ‘French Fashion for All’ promotion. This was the first time outfits from Dior’s inaugural haute couture collection were viewed outside Paris. Australian women loved it! They eagerly embraced his designs and their adaptations.

And, judging by the lengthy queues and hordes of people viewing the exhibition the day I visited, Australian’s adoration for French high fashion and Christian Dior Couture lives on.

Christian Dior (Creative Director 1946-57)

: Where it all started: Christian Dior’s Bar suit, afternoon ensemble 1947

: Many of Dior’s garments were inspired by flowers – Village Party Dress 1955

: Mexico evening gown A/W 1951. Layers & layers of silk tulle, opulent gold thread & a statement velvet bow

Yves Saint Laurent (Creative Director 1957-60)

: Mascarade short evening dress (Left) and Climene dress A/W 1959

: Afternoon and short evening dresses 1960

Marc Bohan (Creative Director 1960-89)

: Slim Look collection S/S 1961

: Silk and linen Evening dress S/S 1983

Gianfranco Ferre (Creative Director 1989-96)

: Disney evening suit and Luna coat dress A/W collection 1989-90

: Divine raspberry silk tulle long evening dress ‘Elixir’, 1996

John Galliano (Creative Director 1996-2011)

: Japanese origami inspired Mimi-san suit and Konnici Kate suit, S/S 2007

: Look 43 coat: Exquisite embroidered satin with feather and beading details

: ‘Theodora’ evening ensemble 1997: Fluid satin with a theatrical bodice and sleeves

Couture from Top to Toe

: Maria Grazia Chiuri footwear S/S collection 2017

: House of Dior Footwear

Raf Simons (Creative Director 2012-15)

: Look 54 dress, 2015 A modern interpretation of the pleats and full skirts in Dior’s S/S collection 1954

: The eternally elegant Look 10 Bar coat. Red cashmere and silk with a metal belt.

: Look 24 ensemble S/S 2015. Man-made fibres meet nature in this polyvinyl and silk combination

Maria Grazia Chiuri (Creative Director 2016- )

: Broussaille evening dress S/S 2017. Tulle, rafia and silk embroidery.

: Black crescent ballgown S/S 2017. Opulent velvet and the luna shape makes for a dramatic focal point.

: Dresses from this year’s Spring/Summer collection (2017)

Ann Vodicka is a personal stylist and image consultant based in Sydney, Australia. She has a passion for fashion and for helping men and women develop greater confidence and a stronger sense of self by dressing to express who they truely are. Her desire is for everyone she works with to look and be the best version of themselves they can be.

Ann is contactable through her website https://www.imageconfidence.com.au

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By Ann Vodicka

October 31, 2017

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Frida Kahlo: The Artist’s Fashion Style at La Casa Azul

Frida Kahlo was an outstanding Mexican artist and a remarkable woman. Her paintings vividly illustrate her irrepressible spirit, her life’s loves and its many tragedies. It was her ‘soul-revealing’ paintings that brought Frida world acclaim.

In 2004 the discovery and unveiling of Frida’s wardrobe further enhanced our understanding of her and her fascinating life. The public could see these items for the first time in 50 years. Nowadays some of this collection is on display at the Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul) in Mexico City.

While I was travelling in Mexico a few months ago the Frida Kahlo Museum was on my ‘must see’ list. It was amazing to view her art and personal belongings displayed in the house she once called home. The colourful clothes, accessories and ornately decorated medical supports really grabbed my attention. These items revealed a part of Frida I knew little about. I gained insights into her fashion style, her expressive personality, her love of her indigenous heritage, and how she dealt with the many physical challenges she faced.

Inside the Frida Kahlo Museum

Full length embroidered skirts showed Frida’s love of traditional Mexican folk dress, and emphasised her love of colour, pattern and texture. They also served another purpose: to hide her thinner, shorter right leg which was the result of contracting polio when she was 6. The physical and psychological setbacks continued when the lower half of that leg was amputated due to gangrene. She showed amazingly resilience and positivity about the loss of her leg and showed this by painting her prosthetic limb vibrant red. The image below shows the dragon motifs that decorated the boot. This quote sums up her optimistic attitude:

“Pies para que los quiero si tengo alas pa’ volar.”

“Who needs feet when I’ve got wings to fly.”

Frida Kahlo traditional Mexican folk dress

Frida Kahlo’s prosthetic limb displayed at La Casa Azul

Art out of tragedy

In 1925 a bus that Frida was travelling in collided with a trolley car. This accident left Frida seriously injured with an array of broken bones and internal wounds. It was while Frida was bedridden healing from these injuries that her life as an artist really began. The plaster casts that she wore after the operations became a canvas for her artistic talents. She beautified the casts by painting them: transforming practical, unattractive moulds into works of art. And, to conceal the bulk of the casts and orthopaedic corsets, Frida wore free flowing, intricately decorated tops and dresses.

Frida adorned herself with ornate necklaces and head dresses too. These accessories drew the eye away from her ailing body up to her radiant face. Even Frida’s famous ‘mono-brow’, seen in her self-portraits and portraits of her by other artists, served to draw attention upwards.

I spent hours walking around the rooms of the Frida Kahlo museum. Here was a woman who successfully used different mediums to express who she was and how she felt. Everything she wore resonated with her identity, beliefs and values, and at the same time accommodated her physical needs. She made her style her own and I greatly admire her for this.

Ann Vodicka is an image consultant who is passionate about helping her clients discover, express and develop their unique sense of style. She is the owner and director of Image Confidence.

For the month of August take up our special offer of $50 off Personal Shopping and Wardrobe Revival Experiences. Ann will make clothes shopping fun and rewarding, and will help you organise and revamp your wardrobe. Email or phone Ann to take advantage of this offer.

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By Ann Vodicka

July 31, 2017

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Viktor and Rolf: A Message of Creative Self-Expression

Amsterdam based Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren are the masterminds behind the fashion house and perfume Viktor & Rolf. I was lucky enough to be in Melbourne and visited the National Gallery of Victoria’s Viktor & Rolf: Fashion Artists exhibition. It was a fascinating and thought-provoking display of their imaginative and innovative creations from their […]

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December 19, 2016