Nineties to Now: Fashion of the Year Retrospective

Opening with a hot pink mini-skirted Chanel 'power suit' from 1991, the Powerhouse Museum's latest exhibition Nineties to Now: Fashion of the Year Retrospective displays some of the most influential designs by 46 of the biggest names in Australian and international fashion. Bringing together for the first time the entire Grand Marnier/Powerhouse Museum Fashion of the Year collection of, the exhibition explores some of the key shifts and trends in contemporary ready-to wear fashion from 1991 to the present.

Sexy sophistication, eye-popping prints, sculpted silhouettes, sharp tailoring, tomboy styling, all-out glamour and a touch of attitude are features of the garments and accessories on display. Complementing the outfits are interviews with some of the people involved in making and marketing fashion in Australia including designers, photographers, stylists, fashion editors, buyers and retailers.

Drawing on the shrewd wit of fashion editors headlines, the exhibition is divided thematically into some of the key trends shaping contemporary fashion including; the emergence of underwear as outerwear and our love affair with the once ubiquitous slip dress; the influence of sportswear and subcultural style on high fashion which resulted in sports shoes and surfwear becoming everyday fashion; and the popularity of vintage dressing which allowed everyone to experience the joy of a one-off garment. Nineties to Now also considers some of the dramatic shifts that have changed the face of contemporary fashion from the rise of international fashion conglomerates to the modern males expanding wardrobe.

An array of stunning outfits by Collette Dinnigan, Akira Isogawa, Easton Pearson, sass & bide and Zimmermann highlight the distinct design signatures of this 'new generation' of Australian designers, acknowledging their success on the global market. The spotlight also falls on some of the world's influential designers with immaculate suits by Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford's sophisticated designs for Gucci and Yves Saint.

Laurent, John Galliano's theatrical styles for Christian Dior, Prada's understated elegance and Philip Treacy's extraordinary hats. These are the designer's whose shrewd observations of contemporary society allow them to translate the mood of the moment into our new wardrobe.

Image: Morrissey, halterneck top and 'Numina' print pant, 2000, displayed in the Powerhouse Museum exhibition, Nineties to Now: Fashion of the Year Retrospective, from 28 April to 18 July 2004. Courtesy Morrissey.

On View: 28 April 18 July 2004

Address: 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney

Telephone: (02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444

Website: www.powerhousemuseum.com

Hours: 10.00am to 5.00pm (closed Christmas Day)

Admission: General admission $10 adult, $4 child, $5 concession, $24 family. Powerhouse Museum members, children under 5 years, NSW Senior Card holders and Australian pensioners admitted free.