90 King Street, Perth - 7 April to 30 April 2025
Gobbles, Beethovens, Hannibals, Pinocchio’s, The Red Parrot, Connections...travel back to an era of big hair, shoulder pads and shiny lycra with the fashion students as they are inspired by 70's and 80's Perth club culture to re-imagine fashion.
Researching the different subcultures within the world of nightclubs brought the students to a realisation that they were much more that just good times and cool tunes. They discovered inclusive places where people from diverse backgrounds and sexualities were welcomed, connected, and formed communities.
A deep dive into the archives of the State Library along with rare images from the Connections nightclub inspired the students to develop creative interpretations from their research. Classic silhouettes and fabrics from the era were re-imagined through tricky metallic and stretchy fabrics to reflect the big shoulders, bubble skirts and shiny fabrics that featured on dance floors half a century ago.
The students loved working on a project which gave them the opportunity to explore new perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of our city. The works on display illustrate the inseparable relationship between history, popular culture and design, and show a deft touch in their ability to fuse the past and the present into unique new perspectives.