Twice postponed due to Covid19, the organisers of Australian Wearable Art Festival, created an outstanding event, supporting the artists selected as finalists, to showcase their amazing works in this significant must-see event held in May on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Beaulah the Banksia Spy
Materials used - repurposed upholstery and fabric swatches, reclaimed fabrics, found and recycled materials and trims.
Sherlock-Holmes-meets-banksia inspired Avant Garde wearable entry features a strapless, boned, extended-line corset dress with three-quarter length tulip silhouette skirt. Skirt details include large tucks at waist and elastic threaded hem to achieve the silhouette. Paired with an elbow skimming reversible cape and gum nut toque.
Inspiration - The Australian bush and the banksia have always held a curious allure for me. Inspired by stories of May Gibbs' 'big bad banksia men' and Aboriginal Dreamtime, I created my heroine - Beaulah.
Fabric has been hand-printed from cereal box stencils creating graphic golden seedpods on the skirt and cape with free machine embroidery utilised to create the nubbly texture surrounding the printed design. Heat-set marble resists form bobbles in the glittery organza bodice overlay, collar and cuffs mimicking the texture of the banksia seedpod.
A reversible cape, like a detective character in an Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes novel protects her identity. Fabric strips, cordage, ribbons, strings and embroidered leaves complete her seedpod toque.
Beautifully worn by model Bianca Harris.
Photo Credit (above images): : Colin McLellan Photography
Photo Credit (banner image): Kelcie Bryant-Duguid. Photo Credit (top, middle, bottom images): : Stewart Douglas Photography
2022 Australian Wearable Art Festival, Sunshine Coast QLD