After an emotional show on Saturday night that celebrated 30 years of Zambesi, it seems fitting an exhibition opens tomorrow that will showcase the designs of the iconic New Zealand house alongside those of seven other key New Zealand and Australian labels.
Together Alone opens at the National Gallery of Victoria tomorrow, featuring more than 40 works spanning the past decade from designers including Zambesi, NOM*d, World, Doris de Pont, Romance was Born and Toni Maticevski. Co-curator Katie Somerville says, "the idea behind the exhibition is to highlight recent developments in independent Australian and NZ fashion design over the past 10-12 years, when fashion houses from both countries began to receive significant international attention".
The majority of the pieces, which include World's floral "Sanderson" suit and Zambesi's silk kimono coat, were drawn from the gallery's own fashion collection, with a few loans from the designers themselves - and one from Te Papa of a NOM*d outfit from the first NZ Fashion Week. "It would be fair to say that all eight fashion houses have contributed to how Australian and New Zealand fashion has been perceived over the last decade on the global stage," says Somerville.
And though there are obvious differences between our own signature aesthetic and that of Australia, Somerville says there are distinct similarities that have helped shape our Antipodean look. "One of the obvious similarities is geographical, whether it is the aspect of distance and shared histories (and their differences), or the fact that our fashion seasons are the opposite to the northern hemisphere."
"As much as similarities and differences between the two countries can be explored, equally there can be discussions about regional aspects, such as the arts and sub-cultures spawned by a city like Dunedin or Melbourne where MaterialByProduct and Toni Maticevski are based."
•Together Alone: Australian and New Zealand Fashion, The Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia, October 1-April 18.
Fashion on show
Pink dress by World, 1998. Photo / Supplied
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