POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Notes

Photos by Bruno Benini, styling usually by Hazel Benini. Robyn Fong, Sydney-based Eurasian model working 1960s-1975. No formal training. Joined Viviens model agency, Sydney Worked on shoots for the Australian Wool Board and other clients, and with many models including Nadina Guilfoyle. All carried their own makeup, shoes, jewellery, wigs and hairpieces. Worked with David Mist and Laurie Le Guay (Castlereagh Street studio) and other photographers in Sydney and Melbourne. Worked with Bruno Benini in Melbourne and frequently attended parties held by Bruno and Hazel Benini. Robyn would always endeavour to secure additional modelling jobs when travelling to work on the David Jones and Georges parades in Melbourne. Robyn thinks the model in the Concept for Gala shots at the NGV by Bruno Benini - Lucinda Wills, is possibly Lucinda Wills nee Lucinda Strauss. Visited the Benini exhibition at MAAS in 2010 on the advice of her friend, model Susie Twigg (nee Seaton). There were very few Asian, Eurasian or Pacific region models working in Australia during the 1960s and 70s. Robyn recalls only Nicky Turner an Asian mainly catwalk model, Edith Freeman a Tahitian model, and Emma Heffernan who was from Fiji. These models rarely if ever secured work on local ads like Colgate or Palmolive. Reference: Notes from interview, Anne-Marie Van de Ven, Curator with Robyn Fong, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, 29 January 2015 Colour transparency of models wearing Sportsgirl dresses with balls sculpture, outside the Victorian Arts Centre, 1971.