Kylie on Stage – you don’t have to be a Kylie Minogue fan to appreciate this great exhibition at the Arts Centre Melbourne. It’s a celebration of Kylie’s highly acclaimed concert tours over three decades as seen through the prism of her costumes. There are some amazing gowns by international designers that are not to be missed.
The Disco in Dreams Tour 1989 (Japan) saw Kylie perform before an amazing 38,000 fans in one night in Tokyo. Costumes designed by Ian McMaugh (Australia) rocked the audience.
The Disco of Dreams Tour 1989 Costume Design Ian McMaugh Photograph: GRACIE
“Touring costumes become like close friends, as we both work so hard every night performing. When the tour finishes and I see all the wear and tear of the costumes – blood, sweat, tears and triumph – the evidence of shared experience is tangible” Kylie Minogue
The Intimate and Live Tour 1998 – Costumes designed by Kylie and William Baker
“I will always love and appreciate the costumes from my early days. My mum, grandmother and I would all be working on them …… ‘ Kylie Minogue. Painstaking beading and trimming were worked with a unified passion, expertise and incredible resourcefulness.
In 1991 Kylie met John Galliano who became the first of many international fashion designers to create costumes and accessories for Kylie’s shows. Other famous names include Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Julien Macdonald, Karl Largerfeld and Manolo Blahnik.
Kylie Aphrodite Les Folies Tour 2011 Back dress with ostrich feather skirt and lace up bodice. Gold vinyl bodysuits and metal belt with padlock. Costume designed by Dolce & Gabbana Photograph: GRACIE
In working with Dolce & Gabbana Kylie states: “It was like I had finally hit the big time”.
Kylie: For you, For me Tour 2009. Halter-neck gown covered with silver and gold degrade sequins and beads Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier Photograph GRACIE
Among the many styled ‘costumes’ for the tours are several elegant and superbly crafted gowns worthy of a red carpet showing. They are well displayed and worth seeing aside from the show case pieces.
Kylie X2008 Tour Black silk chiffon dress by Jean Paul Gaultier Photograph: GRACIE
” ….. Kylie knew what she wanted and what she didn’t. She was extremely precise and professional. She was always kind, happy and positive, with never a bad thought on her mind.” John Paul Gaultier 2012.
Kylie Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour 2005 – Pink chiffon with Swarowski crystals and ostrich feathers designed by Karl Largerfeld “I felt like a princess” KM Photograph: GRACIE
Kylie Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour 2005 opened with John Galliano’s blue feathered creation that went on to become one of Kylie’s best known costumes. Kylie commented: “I suffered plenty of cuts to my arms until I figured out how to move and do the choreography while avoid the sharp diamanté stars. It was hard to move and hard to breathe, but it was such an amazing and resplendent moment I would brave it all again!”
Portion of the iconic blue feathered masterpiece by John Galliano Photograph: GRACIE
These two outstanding outfits embody the ideal of ‘showgirl’ and in each, Kylie’s unique talent dazzled.
The Kylie Showgirl Homecoming Tour 2006 “The showgirl was back. I loved the feather Mohawk skull cap …” KM Costume by John Galliano Photograph: GRACIE
This is a great opportunity to delve into the creative process behind the scenes producing spectacular concerts that attract staggering audience numbers. A giant video screen plays footage from Kylie’s various tours so you can see the costumes in action and enjoy Kylie’s extraordinary talent and presentation.
Lucky, lucky, lucky – we sure are! It’s magical.
Kylie on Stage – Arts Centre Melbourne
Free admission
For more information click here