Welcome to Dunedin, sort of. Just a little taste of its stylish side, currently just for Aucklanders and visitors to Auckland, and only for another ten days. How could you resist the NZ Fashion Museum’s latest exhibition? Co-produced by the Otago Polytechnic School of Design, A Darker Eden opened last week at Silo Park.
Introducing the exhibition, its art director, Otago Polytechnic academic leader of fashion, Dr Margo Barton speaks of Dunedin’s reputation for being more “mysterious, romantic and creative” than some other cities, to its “neo-gothic and colonial architecture, rolling hills…temperamental harbour” and the “non-conformity” and artistic community. Hey, everyone thinks their town is special, but in the case of Dunedin, the proof is in the plumage. As Margo says, Dunedin uses this reputation to tell stories, which pervade the selection and arrangement of the collection.
The exhibition includes a couple of dozen Dunedin designers: the big names like NOM*d, Mild Red, Tanya Carlson and Company of Strangers, plus 20 Otago Polytechnic fashion graduates including twentysevennames, Vaughan Geeson, Maaike and Mu. The atmospheric gallery showcases more than 50 garment, and there’s also a section devoted to iD Dunedin Fashion Week.
If you’re in Auckland, there, that’s this weekend sorted for you.
More info:
- 13 February to 1 March 2015 at Silo 6, Silo Park, The Wynyard Quarter, Auckland
Open Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 12–6pm and Friday from 12–9pm
Entry by koha (voluntary donation)