This form-fitting blue sequin dress worn by Julie (Jessica Mauboy) in The Sapphires (2012) is front and centre in the true story of an Indigenous singing group who entertained troops during the Vietnam War. It reflects late-1960s fashion and featured in the film’s posters and during critical scenes, including the fan-favourite performance of ‘Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch’ at the film’s end.
Equally as fabulous is the bright pink tinsel dress worn by Kitty (Elaine Crombie) in Kiki and Kitty (2017). As Kiki’s (Nakkiah Lui) fairy god-vagina, Kitty shimmers in this sensual, sequined ensemble and embodies all the repressed sass and sauciness of Lui’s buttoned-down lawyer.
“A vagina that came to life… was like someone who would essentially be my friend and who would stick up for me and they would wear sequins and drink martinis and just be all the things I kind of wish I was.” - Nakkiah Lui
Nakkiah Liu talks about the making of Kitty and Kiki in this video from Screen Australia.
Related works
Collection
Not in ACMI's collection
Previously on display
10 February 2022
ACMI: Gallery 1
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
Curatorial section
The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Australia → MA-05. Heroes and anti-heroes → MA-05-C02