Synopsis  

Oh so fashionable an occasion it was when Phillip Adams BalletLab presented Outline, a homage to French fashion icon Christian Dior.

Melbourne’s fashion and designer dream team Toni Maticevski, Richard Nylon, Ray Barry, Rachael Bernhaut performed together with BalletLab’s treasured and darling choreographer/performer Brooke Stamp. Heads turned when the dashing Edgar Wegner made a cameo appearance with Pablo the adorable pet dachshund.

Inspiration: The Bar Suit and cocktail dress silhouette characterised by a small, nipped in waist and full skit falling below mid calf which emphasised the bust and hips.

A re-structuring the Dior “New Look” 1947 as contemporary fashion and art performance. The artists acknowledge the twenty century fashion house dejour and the remittance of photographers and professed glamour of Dior and our very own Melbourne salon precinct such as was the case with several leading studios at the ‘Paris end of Collins’ (Melbourne) whom specialized in commercial fashion illustration, creating enchanting images of ideal beauty and perfection for public consumption in the 40s, 50s & 60s.

Creative Team

Choreography: Phillip Adams
Performer: Brooke Stamp
Guest artists:Toni Maticevski: Fashion Designer: Dior creation
Richard Nylon Designer Milliner Artist: Dior hat and gloves
Ray Barry: Designer/Stylist/Artist Y salon Dior Hair and make up
Rachel Bernhaut: Photography
Edgar Wenger Dog minder (Pablo)
David Franzke: Sound operator
Pablo: Dog Model

Notes from Phillip Adams

My first memory towards Melbourne Now was at the age of eight, already donned in paisley-buttoned-up shirt and 100% cotton fitted pantaloons seated next to Mother fitted out in Dior style long skirt and jacket on the tram. We pass by a construction site near NGV somewhere circa 70s headed into the city to shop, see a picture and lunch at David Jones Cafeteria. I am interested to contextualise into fashion this childhood encounter from Melbourne, then and transposed to Melbourne Now. Now as an artist at 48, I still ride the tram past NGV on St Kilda Rd transfixed by memories of Dior and nostalgia as an entry point for this commission.