POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Strictly Ballroom' costume by Angus Strathie, Nola Lowe, Barrie Lowe

Object No. 92/1904

Film costume, 'Fruity Rumba', from 'Strictly Ballroom', womens, polyester / diamantes / sequins / beads / plaster / feathers / leather, designed by Angus Strathie, made by M&A Film Corporation Pty Ltd / Nola Lowe / Barrie Lowe, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1991

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Summary

Physical Description

Costume ensemble consisting of a matching bra-top, skirt and headdress, a cape, jewellery suite and a pair of latin dancing sandals. The halter neck bra-top is made of pale peach coloured polyester fabric and covered with green shot fabric leaves which are trimmed with diamantes. Decorating the bra cups are diamantes, green sequins and small plaster fruit which have been painted in natural colours and decorated with glitter. The top is trimmed along the bottom with strings of long green tubular beads and bananas. The skirt is made up of a pair of pale peach coloured polyester jersey briefs with an extended panel at the back which is decorated with the same fruit, beads, sequins and diamantes as the top. Forming the front and back panels are lengths of green shot polyester that have been cut on the bias and roll hemmed over fishing line to create a curling effect. These strips are sparsely decorated with green sequins, diamantes and ostrich feathers. The small headdress is built up on a millinery cocktail base. Decorated with emerald and lime green fabric leaves, plaster fruit, sequins, diamantes and plumage that rises from the crown and wraps around the head from the side. The cape is full length with a hood, it is made of silver lame and the hood is lined with emerald green shot fabric. Centre front press stud fastening decorated on either side with a multi-coloured diamante earring which has been sewn on to imitate a clasp. The jewellery suite is made up of a delicate diamante bracelet with collette settings and bolt ring fastener, and a pair of diamante earrings. The earrings are made up of a small triangle with five long strings of stones hanging off. Stones are collette set and are for pierced ears with a stud fastening. The pair of beige leather latin sandals have a Spanish heel and are decorated with glued on diamantes. They have leather inner-soles and soft leather soles for dancing, and they fasten with a small metal buckle.

PRODUCTION

Notes

The costume was designed by Angus Strathie who graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1988. He has since worked with the Canberra Theatre Company and the Australian Opera. His designs for 'Strictly Ballroom' are based on the costumes worn by real competitive ballroom dancers. The costume was fabricated by a professional ballroom costumier, Nola Lowe, working from design sketches in her studio in Sydney. The shoes were made by Barrie Lowe in Sydney. $7,000 worth of ostrich feathers were imported for the production of the costumes. All were dyed to match the exact colours of the costumes.

HISTORY

Notes

Worn by Sonia Kruger-Tayler in the M & A Film Corporation production of the film 'Strictly Ballroom', while playing the part of Tina Sparkle.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of M&A Film Corporation Pty Ltd, 1993

Acquisition Date

18 February 1993

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