By Sandi Tighello
The iconic Georges on Collins building, a Melbourne institution since the 19th century, plays host during the Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival to a exhibit unlike any other their walls and archways have ever seen; The Spirit of the Black Dress.
Brisbane born Tullia Jack, founder of the exhibit, is focused on promoting emerging designers and raising the profile of Australian fashion and textile design. When I popped into the exhibit yesterday, I was impressed with how effective the setting was. Stark white walls are the perfect canvas to display the huge photographs included in the exhibition, but better still, the walls are the perfect backdrop to enable the mannequins to come to life. Ten of Australia’s upcoming and emerging designers have their dazzling dresses on display, and boy, they are dazzling.
Particularly brilliant is how each designer has interpreted the ‘spirit of the black dress’ – no dress in the room is the same as another. Andy Tsang’s design was a favourite of mine, but each designer’s work is truly marvellous. The other designers include Alyana Eau, Kristy Barber, Leigh Alexander, Michelle Czech, Nikolina Kucan, Noelle Kan, Rachael Cassar, Sonya Kraan and Claire Djuve and Airdrie Makim.
The Spirit of the Black Dress is open from 10am to 8pm each day, and runs until Sunday the 6th of September, at Georges, 195 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. For more information visit The Spirit of the Black Dress website.
