A beautiful designer gown representing unity is on display at the WA Museum Boola Bardip.
The Boola Bardip Gown was designed for the Kaleidoscope World of Fashion event in 2021, held at the Museum.
The gown is a collaborative project between designer Karen Elizabeth Young, seamstress Jasmine Ng and Aboriginal artist Sammy Wyborn. The elaborate, modern ballgown was constructed by Ms Young and Ms Ng. It features delicate hand-painted details on the gown and shoes by Ms Wyborn. A coordinating headpiece and waist corsage made by Young, finishes the gown and reflects the beauty of Western Australia’s flora and fauna.
Inspired by our State and the Museum, the gown was named Boola Bardip, meaning Many Stories in Whadjuk Nyoongar language, and portrays a story of unity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples.
Ms Young said she conceptualised a ballgown with both modern and traditional features.
"The sculptural design symbolises the progression of our State and the architecture of the Museum. Our heritage is represented through Sammy’s Aboriginal artwork,” Ms Young said.
“It's an honour to join other West Australian creatives who have had recognition at the Museum.”
There is an abundance of creative talent in WA in various mediums but particularly in fashion, and the WA Museum has had the opportunity to develop long-standing relationships with WA fashion and its designers. For example, by placing an importance on featuring creativity through exhibitions and programs, the Museum’s Collection also houses several significant items from the likes of WA fashion designers Aurelio Costarella and the late Ruth Tarvydas.
WA Museum CEO Alec Coles emphasised that the WA Museum belongs to the people of WA and the concept of Boola Bardip meaning Many Stories also encompasses many voices.
“The value of fashion in museums is partly about the creative process but also the cross-over between extraordinary creativity and the ‘day-to-day.’ Everyone to some degree is interested in fashion, whether it’s high fashion on the runway, or what they wear to go out in the evening, it reflects our identity in all kinds of different ways and that’s what the WA Museum or Boola Bardip is all about,” Mr Coles said.
“Using the word fashion sometimes suggests elitism but I think fashion impacts all of our lives and is a key element of expressing your identity.”
The Boola Bardip Gown is located on the Ground Level of the WA Museum Boola Bardip. Find out more via the Museum’s Gogo app where you’ll find behind the scenes content of the Gown’s creation and its debut at the Kaleidoscope World of Fashion at the Museum.
