The Way We Wore

[TV.Cynic]

Celeste Barber explores Australia’s fashion history in The Way We Wore

Actress, internet sensation and fashion icon, Celeste Barber, hosts The Way We Wore, an illuminating three-part documentary series, which explores the evolution and significance of Australian fashion. The Way We Wore premieres Tuesday 21 November at 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.

First Look | The Way We Wore with Celeste Barber | ABC TV + iview

A vibrant exploration of the Australian fashion industry, The Way We Wore uncovers the cultural and historical significance of fashion in Australia, revealing how the clothes we wear provide intimate and surprising insights into the evolution of our country.

Brimming with rich archival material, and deeply personal interviews with some of the country’s fashion greats, The Way We Wore lays bare why fashion matters and its underestimated but deep impact on our social history.

Episode one traces the evolution of fashion media, unraveling how and why it’s had such a profound effect on how we see ourselves. Episode two uncovers the stories of Australia’s fashion pioneers as they revolutionise what we wear. Finally, the last episode tracks the ascent of Australia’s fashion sector and asks why this industry has been undervalued when it generates more income than the beer and wine industry, and employs more people than mining?

Director Nel Minchin (Firestarter, Matilda & Me, Making Muriel) probes Australia’s fashion royalty for personal experiences, wise musings and behind the scenes insights. Interviews include: designers Collette Dinnigan, Alex Perry, Catherine Martin, Akira Isogawa, Camilla Franks, and Paul McCann, Vogue Editorial Director Edwina McCann, model Charlee Fraser, actor and writer Nakkiah Lui and more.

“I really loved working on The Way We Wore, it was such an eye opener and I’m excited for Australia to get a glimpse into the fashion industry and the role it has played over the course of history,” says Celeste Barber.

**Production credits:**A Stranger Than Fiction and Wheels Rolling production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest and Screen NSW. ABC Commercial holds world distribution rights. Developed with assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. Written and directed by Nel Minchin. Produced by Jo-anne McGowan, Sarah Noonan and Nel Minchin. Executive produced by Jennifer Peedom and Celeste Barber. ABC Commissioning Editor Kalita Corrigan. ABC Head of Factual Susie Jones.

[TV.Cynic]

Episode 1

Tuesday 21 November 8.00pm Stream all episodes on ABC iview

Hosted by actress & internet sensation Celeste Barber, this series uncovers the cultural & historical significance of Australian fashion.

Actress, internet sensation and fashion icon, Celeste Barber, hosts The Way We Wore, an illuminating three-part documentary series, which explores the evolution and significance of Australian fashion.

The Way We Wore uncovers the cultural and historical significance of fashion in Australia, revealing how the clothes we wear provide intimate and surprising insights into the evolution of our country.

Brimming with rich archival material, and deeply personal interviews with some of the country’s fashion greats, The Way We Wore lays bare why fashion matters and its underestimated but deep impact on our social history.
Director Nel Minchin (Firestarter, Matilda & Me, Making Muriel) probes Australia’s fashion royalty for personal experiences, wise musings and behind the scenes insights. Interviews include: designers Collette Dinnigan, Alex Perry, Catherine Martin, Akira Isogawa, Camilla Franks, and Paul McCann, Vogue Editorial Director Edwina McCann, model Charlee Fraser, actor and writer Nakkiah Lui and more.

It’s no secret Celeste Barber’s career was built on parodying the unattainable beauty standards plastered across our fashion media. In this first episode, Celeste traces the evolution of fashion media from early silent cinema ads through magazines to influencers, interrogating how the media and advertising industries have been harnessed to sell fashion over the decades, and unraveling how and why it’s had such a profound effect on how we see ourselves.

Production credit: A Stranger Than Fiction and Wheels Rolling production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest and Screen NSW. ABC Commercial holds world distribution rights. Developed with assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. Written and directed by Nel Minchin. Produced by Jo-anne McGowan, Sarah Noonan and Nel Minchin. Executive produced by Jennifer Peedom and Celeste Barber. ABC Commissioning Editor Kalita Corrigan. ABC Head of Factual Susie Jones.

[TV.Cynic]

Episode 2

Tuesday 28 November 8.00pm

Celeste Barber reveals how fearless fashion trailblazers have pushed for social change, challenged those in power, & helped marginalised communities to be seen.

Celeste reveals how fearless fashion trailblazers have pushed for social change, challenged those in power, and helped marginalised communities to be seen. Celeste uncovers the stories of Australia’s fashion pioneers who have revolutionised what we wear.

One trailblazer, Annette Kellerman, starts her own line of contemporary one-piece swimwear and single handedly revolutionises Australian’s beachside garments for generations to come.

While women are starting to use clothes to make political statements, clothing is playing a devastating role in the disruption and destruction of First Nations culture. A revolutionary fashion event, an Aboriginal Debutante Ball, is arranged. This event sees First Nations women reclaiming their identity and demanding their place in society.

By the late 1970s, identity politics is all the rage and people are finding their tribes. You have the hippies in their Kaftans, the disco dancers in their glow mesh, the blokes in their Blueys and the studs in the Safari Suits.
In the 1980s, photographer William Yang captures the moments when the first Mardi Gras protest in Australia shifts from violent protest to a fashion spectacular. Fashion designer Peter Tully, Artistic Director of Mardi Gras, is at the helm of this glamorous transformation.

The Australian fashion community is growing and an interest in International styles is influencing creatives. Iconic designers like Akira Isogawa present a unique fashion identity to an Australia that is finally embracing diversity.

Production credit: A Stranger Than Fiction and Wheels Rolling production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest and Screen NSW. ABC Commercial holds world distribution rights. Developed with assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. Written and directed by Nel Minchin. Produced by Jo-anne McGowan, Sarah Noonan and Nel Minchin. Executive produced by Jennifer Peedom and Celeste Barber. ABC Commissioning Editor Kalita Corrigan. ABC Head of Factual Susie Jones.

[TV.Cynic]

Episode 3

Tuesday 5 December 8.00pm

In this final episode, Celeste tracks the ascent of Australia’s fashion sector, tracing its roots from early bespoke seamstresses to the multi-billion-dollar international enterprise it is today.

Fashion has always been BIG business. So why is it so often dismissed as frivolous? In this final episode, Celeste tracks the ascent of Australia’s fashion sector, tracing its roots from early bespoke seamstresses to the multi-billion-dollar international enterprise it is today.

Australia’s first major shopping outlet was born in 1838 when a man named David Jones opens a general store that becomes a metropolitan luxury department store.

But it isn’t until we start to embrace our own environment and aesthetic that an Australian brand grows into something uniquely its own. Brands start to design clothes that can deal with Australian conditions which are much harsher than anywhere in Europe. RM Williams, Drizabone and Akubra are the three heritage brands that Australian can call their own.

In the 1960s, Italian migrant, Carla Zampatti, brings power dressing to a generation of women. Carla brings her Italian sense of style to Australian customers along with her progressive views on women’s rights which are built into the fabric of every one of her garment.

In the 1970s, the three big surf brands, Ripcurl, Billabong and Quiksilver, become international phenomena in a few short years.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Zimmermann sisters are gearing up to take the global fashion world by storm. They become Australia’s first billion-dollar fashion label. With the introduction of the internet, Zimmermann capitalises on a global opportunity to reach huge markets.

Despite the enormous challenges, Australian designers continue to take on the fashion industry and are thriving by drawing from the natural environment, constantly innovating, and finding their niches.

[JohnsonTV]

Celeste is on the cover of Stellar magazine inside News Corp papers this Sunday.