The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition at Rippon Lea

What a delight to be invited as a guest to attend the media preview of The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition at the historic property Rippon Lea Estate. Despite being an incredibly wet night, which saw frocked up attendees hidden under a sea of umbrellas, the exhibition received a warm welcome from media folk and guests; my friend Annabel of Clothe and I, included.

The National Trust’s stunning mansion, in all her splendor, is far cry from the dusty scenes of the Australian outback town of Dungatar, in which the story of the movie (and novel) is set. That said, the combination of the exquisite works of Marion Boyce and her costume team is well matched with Melbourne’s grand suburban estate.

 If you have yet to see the 2015 award-winning blockbuster The Dressmker on the big or small screen, the fictional tale is set in 1950s Australia.

The story, based on the novel of the same name written by Rosalie Ham, follows Myrtle “Tilly” Dunnage (played by Kate Winslet) as she returns to small town Australia, to take care of her ageing, mentally unstable mother. Tilly, now an accomplished dressmaker trained by Madeleine Vionnet in Paris, starts to transform locals with her stunning couture outfits. Tilly creates outfits for her town folk clients, which become more elaborate, daring, colourful and exceptionally stunning over the course of the story.

There is a darker side to the plot, which delves into themes of grief, abuse and revenge alongside the aforementioned creativity, but that’s something you’ll need to learn for yourself once you become familiar with The Dressmaker.

 
When you visit The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition at Rippon Lea House, you catch a glimpse of the lives of those who work in the costume department of a major movie blockbuster. In this particular case, costumes are priority. The phenomenal skills of Marion Boyce and Margot Wilson; the dressmaker’s for The Dressmaker are absorbed into the outfits for the movie. Over 50 costumes worn by Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth and the rest cast from The Dressmaker are on show over two floors in Rippon Lea House.

Prepare to be wow’d by the impressive collection of gowns, skirts, headwear, capes, suits, brooches and more. Admire exquisite beadwork and detailing, feast your eyes over luxurious fabrics, precision pleats and cinched-in silhouettes. Enjoy behind-the-scenes costume making footage, and take your time to admire the great work of Australia’s finest artmanship.

It is no surprise to hear The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition achieved great success when on display at Winchelsea earlier in 2016. It is without doubt, the same exhibition will draw in the crowds to Rippon Lea House between 22 April and 31 July, 2016.

Tickets for The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition can be purchased in advance online HERE.

This post is bought to you by Nuffnang