Tilly Dunnage's (Kate Winslet) black and bronze dress from The Dressmaker

Courtesy The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

Object
Photograph by Egmont Contreras, ACMI

This dress reflects Tilly’s character as a strong, practical and hardworking person. The fabric has a metallic sheen that is reminiscent of armour. Tilly rarely lets her guard down and continues to endure immense hardship fighting the constant attacks of the townsfolk. The costume shows Tilly’s serious side, and its darker tones perhaps reflect the underlying darkness that drives her story.

Designer Margot Wilson was solely responsible for creating Tilly’s (Kate Winslet) wardrobe, and they collaborated closely to get the best fit and style. This dress is perfectly tailored to Winslet’s form. It showcases the meticulous craftsmanship needed to make the highly structured and figure-defining designs of early 1950s European couture.

The Dressmaker: Behind the Seams

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Collection

Not in ACMI's collection

Previously on display

14 July 2024

ACMI: Gallery 1

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

194847

Curatorial section

The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Worlds → MW-04. Costume Design → MW-04-C01

Object Types

Costume/costume element

Collected

6056 times

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If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/122396--black-and-bronze-dress-worn-by-tilly-dunnage-kate-winslet/ |title=Tilly Dunnage's (Kate Winslet) black and bronze dress from The Dressmaker |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=22 November 2025 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}