The Jefferson Theater housed an eclectic cultural performance this past Saturday: U.Va.’s Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection presented Culture Couture — a fashion show, food fest and musical performance celebrating indigenous Australian art and culture.
The show displayed a merge between ancestral customs and contemporary art forms. The event’s speakers and the garments on display articulated appreciation for a distant but nevertheless vibrant and sensational Australian culture.
Both professional designers and University students displayed aboriginally-inspired clothing they designed. Outfit and accessory styles displayed a reverence and awareness for the Australian country. Some looks were inspired by indigenous plant life and consistently relied on a strident color palette — shades of magenta, teal, coral and yellow — to relay the lively essence of aboriginal culture.
Other pieces nodded to this vivacity of the country with loose and flowing fit outfits. The majority of the garments were constructed from sheer and light fabrics, projecting an airy quality that accentuated movement. Textile designs displayed nautical and terrestrial Australian terrain as well as animal life native to the landscape.
Pieces were made from woven and roping coarse textiles that were influenced by the ancient aboriginal craft of garment-making. Some of these crochet-like forms had thick cords of cloth draped off the shoulders or wide bands of ribbon swinging from the waistline to again emphasize an active culture and traditional form of dress. Neckpieces that were thick and had a knotted weave or had layered beads also payed tribute to traditional styles of Australian accessories.
The show embodied a high regard for the musical and clothing customs of ancient Australian origins.
In addition to the mix of ancient and modern art forms was the combination of professional and amateur or student designs. The division between the two, however, was indiscernible. The student designs relayed a degree of professionalism and accuracy in portraying the indigenous culture equally to that of highly experienced designers.
In between garment collections were two separate performances from Biliirr. The group is comprised of three sisters born and raised in Australia. Their songs are comprised of a single acoustic guitar accompanied by sentimental lyrics sung in a mix of native language and English. Soft tones and balanced harmonies emphasize an admiration for nature and pride in their country. Other melodies directly imitate aboriginal musical techniques — using only voices and clapping — to make a resonant sound.
Clothing and accessory pieces aside, guests could have had their pictures taken by a professional photographer and were served catered Australian-inspired hors d’oeuvres.
Impressively, students planned and executed the entire event. Models were student volunteers and students were in charge of stage design and music selection.
University students blended into the realm of professional fashion design just as Australian culture blended into modern art at this weekend’s fantastic Culture Couture show.
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