There are not many movies I watch anymore that wow me. But
when one comes along that is Australian and has raving reviews, it definitely
pricks my ears up.
When watching The Dressmaker movie, which is based on the
best-selling novel by Rosalie Ham I felt like I had been taken back to my
childhood hometown in the outback of Australia only with a slight twist. I
don’t want to be a movie spoiler but by no means was there a fashion designer
who frocked up all the ladies of the town back where I grew up.
So when I heard that the movie and some of the absolutely
divine frocks from the movie would be put on display at an exhibition I had to
make sure I was there.
The moment I walked into Rippon Lea House & Garden in
Elsternwick I instantly felt like I was
stepping foot into The Dressmaker’s
town of Dungatar. 
The exhibition location did the book and especially the
movie justice, the absolute perfect setting.
In the 1950’s obviously things were a lot different, but
when looking at some of the beautiful pieces on display I quickly realised that
a lot of the fashion from back there was once again coming back into fashion
today.
What I loved the most about the exhibition is instantly
being taken back to certain scenes of the movie just by laying eyes upon a
dress or outfit worn by the cast.
You truly don’t appreciate the hours of work and immaculate
attention to detail that goes into creating these pieces until you are up close
and at arms reach to them.
The exhibition at Rippon Lea House and Garden features 50
designs by Marion Boyce as well as Kate Winslet’s (Tilly) costumes designed by
Margot Wilson.
Now everyone is going to have a favourite room or personal
favourite when it comes to the pieces, so for me this was definitely the
wedding room with Sarah Snook (Trudy’s) wedding dress. Just the way the dress perfectly draped onto
the floor and swayed with the slightest bit of air just was breath taking and
any bride would have loved to of been in that dress I am sure.
But every single room was themed and I always felt like I
was a lot further away in the outback in every single room.
I also loved the room upstairs, which showed how they
created Molly’s (Judy Davis) dirty old clothes as she lived in quite a derelict
house. Here I was thinking they’d been ripped and rolled around in the mud for
a while, but instead it was a lengthy process of dying and getting the colours
perfect.
National Trust of Australia and Rippon Lea Gardens &
House often host an array of events and without both of these The Dressmaker
Exhibition couldn’t have been as perfect as it was.
The Dressmaker Exhibition is now open to the public for a short amount of time, so you need to get in quick or you'll miss it :P As stated above the exhibition can be found at the Rippon Lea House & Garden in Elsternwick.
You can find out more information on the exhibition including prices and location here.
The Dressmaker Exhibition is now open to the public for a short amount of time, so you need to get in quick or you'll miss it :P As stated above the exhibition can be found at the Rippon Lea House & Garden in Elsternwick.
You can find out more information on the exhibition including prices and location here.
