'Marching Band' costume from Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
Object No. 2001/84/72
The 'Marching Band' uniform was designed by Kristian Fredrikson and featured in the 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. It was worn by a member of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Band which was made up of 2200 international performers. The uniform features a bone riding style coat with red and blue feature details and a felt hat with IOC ring pin. The design for the coat is based on the Driza-bone coat which originated in Australia and has barely changed since the late 1890's. The uniform is constructed in a Teflon coated brushed cotton which was specially manufactured for the Ceremony by Wax Converters Driza-bone, Brisbane Qld for the Ceremonies Costume Workshop. David Atkins, Artistic Director and Producer for the Ceremonies Division, oversaw the production of ceremonial uniforms after approving this stockman theme. "The Driza- bone, the Akubra, that whole look, the Australian stockman look is a fairly unique look and significant around the world as being Australian and so once you see that you know exactly where you are." The uniform project resulted in a significant contract for the Australian company, Driza-bone, which manufactured 3,500 coats and 4,000 hats for the Olympic Games. In May 1998, Driza-bone began work on the Olympic project, transforming drawings by costume designer, Kristian Fredrikson, into samples and coat patterns. It then submitted each element of the uniform to Birch for approval. The original coat design required various modifications for the Olympic Games - the internal elbow pads were moved to the outside, the lining was imported and the fabric was dyed specially. The Driza-bone team - one coordinator, two assistants and ten machinists - worked an average of twelve hours each day in the weeks leading up to the Olympics, and made the final 179 coats on the night before the opening ceremony. Consequently, the uniforms represent Driza-bone's contributions to the Olympic Games, and also reflect the Australian stockman image that the Ceremonies Division promoted during the event.
Loading...
Summary
Object Statement
Performance costume, 'Marching Band', fabric/leather/metal designed by Kristian Fredrikson, made by Driza-bone, used in the Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000
Physical Description
Performance costume, 'Marching Band', fabric/leather/metal designed by Kristian Fredrikson, made by Driza-bone, used in the Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000 Consists of a Driza-bone coat made from Teflon coated brushed cotton. The coat has a bone coloured front and sleeves, a red cotton back and lining and a blue cape. Also included in the costume is a bone coloured Driza-bone hat with an Olympic rings pin.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Kristian Fredrikson (born 1940) has been at the forefront of performance design in Australia for over five decades. He was appointed Resident Designer at the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1966 and remained in this position for eight years. He has subsequently designed countless works for the major performing arts companies in Australia, including Opera Australia, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Victorian State Opera, Australian Ballet and the Sydney Dance Company. He has collaborated with many celebrated directors and choreographers such as Dame Peggy Van Praagh, Stanton Welch, George Ogilvie and Graeme Murphy. Fredrikson has also designed for film and television productions including: 'Undercover', 'Vietnam', 'Dirtwater Dynasty' and 'The Shiralee'. Awards received by Fredrikson include the Helpmann Award for Best Costume Design (2002) for 'School For Scandal' at the Sydney Theatre Company and the 1999 Australian Dance Award for Services to Dance. The Marching Band uniform is based on the Driza-bone coat which originated in Australia and has barely changed since the late 1890's. The arm patch on the coat is traditionally on the inside of the arm to stop water dripping into the crook of the arm. Ric Birch requested that the patch be turned to the other side of the arm to form an elbow patch. Maker name Driza-bone, Brisbane Qld for the Ceremonies Costume Workshop.
HISTORY
Notes
Worn by 1 of 2200 members of the Sydney 2000 Marching Band. Presented to the Powerhouse Museum by the Olympic Coordination Authority, on behalf of the NSW Government
SOURCE
Credit Line
Part of the Sydney 2000 Games Collection. Gift of the New South Wales Government, 2001
Acquisition Date
5 October 2001
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry