Hello,
I grew up in North Queensland surrounded by Aboriginal art, which always inspired and energised me. Aside from the stunning colour palettes and textures I’m drawn to the incredible detail that takes painstaking patience and passion to create. The work grounds me in a love of the Australian landscape and its stories.
These outfits reflect my emotional and creative response to these fabulous pieces of art. Art and design are a continuum and here we see the artform carry through to individual articles of clothing as well as how the colours and shapes are composed relative to one another.
I love layering in accessories for added creative flair. Here I’ve added yellow stones to necklaces, anklets to lace boots and paired different earrings. This is how you can step it up a notch, doing things differently, yet stylishly.
With love and style –
Gessica X
Gabriella Possum – Painting ‘Grandmother’s Country and Seven Sisters Dreaming’.
Born in the Northern Territory. As the eldest daughter of her famous artist father, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, she was taught to paint from a very early age. Her vibrant works depict the traditional stories of Seven Sisters Dreaming, Women’s Ceremonies, Bush Tucker, Serpent and Goanna.
I love the stunning waterways flowing through the land in this piece. They are reflected in the blouse with an extravagantly large flower on one shoulder and cascading tail depicting turbulent rivers. Like the viewer, the large eye earrings look down on the land. The stunning leather flair trousers and pointy yellow print shoes symbolise the serrated Australian landscape.
- Blue maxi flower blouse from Moschino on Farfetch
- Leather flare trousers from Khaite on Matches
- Handbag from Mlouye on Farfetch
- Stiletto heels from Casadei on Farfetch
- Lips Cuff rom Schiaparelli
- Odd size ‘eye’ earrings from Schiaparelli
- Belt from Moschino on Farfetch
- Painting from Kate Owen Gallery
Tjawina Porter – Painting ‘My Country’
Tjawina Porter Nampitjinpa maintained a strong connection to her ancestral country around Docker River in the western desert and paints some of those important Dreaming sites from her birthplace.
The natural rawness of the Australian landscape when looking at it on a grander scale is so beautifully rich and powerful. The colours of the earth are dynamic and almost opulent.
‘Don’t mess with me’. The ruffle leather vest reflects the ragged landscape. The animal print skirt and feather handbag are like the wildlife that wonder freely through it. Gold accessories are dug from the earth, from which we all come. The paining and outfit both leave their mark.
- Leather ruffle vest from Alexander McQueen
- Animal print skirt from Valentino on Matches
- Leather gloves from Manokhi on Farfetch
- Gold pumps from Dolce & Gabbana on Farfetch
- Feather bag and cuff – Not available, older items – similar can be found online
- Painting from Wentworth Galleries
Gabriella Possum – Painting ‘Seven Sisters Dreaming’.
There is so much emotion in the painting the Seven Sisters and for me the seven stars with the sun, the mother, look at us. The colour red is for love and yellow for warmth. This outfit reflects the mystery & emotion of the painting. The unbuttoned jacket over the top and skirt reveal the fabulous feature ruffle on the side which is what I see as the unique part of all of us. The choker is a focal point with its gorgeous yellow stone, shining like the sun. The anklet slung over sexy lace boots symbolises a woman who is both grounded and sophisticated. She stands tall, surrounded by her special tribe of sisters.
- Tweed top & skirt from Halpern on Matches Or from Halpern
- Tweed feather jacket from Halpern on Matches
- Choker necklace from Dolce & Gabbana on Farfetch (yellow stone pendant attached not part of necklace – add for colour)
- Bag from Dolce & Gabbana on Farfetch
- Leather gloves from Saint Laurent
- Anklet on boots from Off White on Farfetch (yellow crystal pendant not part of anklet attached for colour)
- Over the knee lace boots from Dolce & Gabbana
- Painting from Wentworth Galleries
Warlukurlangu Artists – Painting ‘Goanna Dreaming’by Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer- Wardapi Jukurrpa
Warlukurlangu Artists is an organisation of artists from the remote desert communities of Yuendumu and Nyirripi in Central Australia. Their artwork is famous for its gloriously colourful acrylic paintings and limited edition prints. Warlukurlangu means ‘belonging to fire’ in the local language, Warlpiri, and is named for a fire dreaming site west of Yuendumu.
Both the painting and the outfit are a free-spirited explosion of colour and mixed patterns. Inspired by agate crystals, the hand painted psychedelic print on this dress is mesmerising as is the richness of the painting depicting the diverse Australian landscape. The snake print boots, the different but complementary earrings, and the golden yellow velvet turban (representing the circle designs in the painting) complete this bohemian look.
- Hand painted dress from Temperley London
- Velvet turban from Jennifer Behr on Farfetch (or Vintage stores)
- Deep pink and black snake print boots from Paris Texas on Farfetch
- Hand bag from Oroton
- Butterfly earrings from Jennifer Behr
- Butterfly and crystal earrings from Jennifer Behr
- Painting from Wentworth Galleries
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