Denim Revolutionaries
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday June 5, 1989
THE GOLDFIELDS of California were dug in it, manual workers across America lived in it, students of the sixties sat-in in it and Brando made it sexy. At once institutional and revolutionary, denim is one fabric which manages to continually reinvent its modernity.
It is hardly surprising, then, to learn that it has its origins in France.
The fabric's original name, Serge de Ni~mes, gives us its birthplace - the French town of Nimes, which has enjoyed a strong link with the crafts of textiles and weaving since the 13th century.
Across the 20th century, denim has continued to play a revolutionary role in fashion and sociology.
To acknowledge denim's origins (and its "seditious" character), this year's Bradmill Down Under Denim Awards took the French Revolution as the theme. The awards, being staged at East Sydney Technical College, aim to encourage young designers to use denim in a way which raises awareness of the product's versatility.
Few of the garments on display fall short of the mark. The standard of creativity and technical expertise demonstrated by entrants was exceptionally high. Tight bodices, off-the-shoulder wraps, breeches and military buckles collided. Even a formidable antique sword put in a brief appearance.
The winning entry, an ensemble by third-year student Kay Kustner, reconciles innovation with elegance. A pleated off-the-shoulder wrap with large gold buttons was pulled across the full-dress outfit - a fitted jacket with pleated sleeves over a vest and dress.
The solid look of the denim, a classic blue with rubbed seams, was softened by the addition of an organza shawl printed in muted primary colours and flecked with gold.
With the wrap removed, the jacket and skirt were a variation on the classic Chanel suit - fitted and detailed in gold. Under the jacket was a fitted denim vest dyed in red, white and blue and a simple strapless, slimline dress - the classic summer frock.
Two other noteworthy entries were Linda Camuglia's black dress with full skirt, topped with a fitted and panelled tunic, and Belinda Brooke's black pin-stripe jacket over a fitted pinafore dress.
Get ready to rethink those 501s.
*Turn to page 7 for Kate Stead's fashion.
© 1989 Sydney Morning Herald